Insights from EAB's 2026 First-Year Experience Survey
As AI reshapes how students think about careers, majors, and the skills they will need after graduation, enrollment teams must communicate the value of a college degree with greater clarity and specificity.

In this insight brief, we examine how students are weighing college value amid uncertainty about cost, career outcomes, and AI-driven workforce change. Drawing on responses from more than 9,500 students, the brief highlights how AI is shaping students’ academic choices, why career preparation remains central to perceived value, and how colleges can better address student and family concerns. The brief also includes a discussion guide senior enrollment leaders can use to help their teams reflect on the findings and identify practical next steps.

Read the full insight brief for insights on:
  • How students feel about college affordability, career outcomes, and AI-driven workforce change
  • Why AI-related career uncertainty is prompting some students to reconsider majors and career paths
  • Which outcomes and experiences students most strongly associate with the value of higher education
  • How parents continue to influence decisions about cost, debt, and affordability
Plus, enrollment teams can use the included discussion guide to assess and strengthen their value messaging in the year ahead.