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Lumina Foundation

Gallup and Lumina Foundation are committed to studying the most pressing issues facing higher education.

Employer Report

Aligning Education and Work: What Employers Say Higher Education Must Deliver

Higher education continues to play a central role in hiring decisions. However, employers report growing challenges in finding candidates with the right skills and preparing recent graduates for immediate effectiveness. The 2026 survey of 2,000 U.S. employers from Lumina Foundation and Gallup examines how employers view the state of higher education and the talent pipeline it produces.

Employers across industries continue to value degrees and credentials, and most expect them to remain important in hiring. At the same time, many report gaps between what graduates bring to the workplace and what employers need to stay competitive. These findings complement the Lumina Foundation-Gallup State of Higher Education study, which captures student perspectives and consistently shows that Americans value postsecondary education even as concerns about cost and accessibility persist.

Aligning Education and Work: What Employers Say Higher Education Must Deliver report cover

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48% of employers believe most jobs at their organization require a college degree to be successful.

3 in 4 employers say a college degree will be as or more important five years from now to get a good job at their organization.

54% of employers say U.S. colleges and universities are graduating students with the skills their organization needs.

Student Report

The College Reality Check

While public confidence in higher education has declined sharply in recent years, current students and graduates report far more optimistic experiences. The College Reality Check: What Students Experience vs. What America Believes report from Lumina Foundation and Gallup examines this divide, highlighting public skepticism alongside the positive outcomes described by those on campus and beyond.

Although significant partisan gaps in confidence persist among adults, such differences are not observed among students themselves. Three-quarters of graduates say their degree was important to their career success, and most recent bachelor’s degree graduates secured a good job within a year of graduation. Cost remains a top concern, yet the majority of students and alumni continue to view a college degree as worth the investment.

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24% vs. 93% 24% of Americans with low confidence in higher education cite the cost and expenses as a concern, vs. 93% of bachelor's degree students who say their college investment is worthwhile

32% vs. 88% 32% of Americans with low confidence in higher education cite lack of career readiness as a reason for their skepticism, vs. 88% of students who are confident their degree will help them secure a job

38% vs. 70% 38% of Americans with low confidence in higher education cite campus politicization as a concern, vs. 70% of college students agree they can express their opinions freely on campus

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