ZipRecruiter®, a leading online employment marketplace, has released its annual report titled The Graduate Divide: Expectations vs. Reality for the Class of 2025. Based on surveys of rising and recent college graduates, the report uncovers a growing disparity between expectations and real-world experiences across salary, job flexibility, job search timelines, and broader employment trends.
Findings from the 2025 Graduate Report
Job Search and Employment Expectations
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Timeline to Employment
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82% of rising graduates expect to secure a job within 3 months post-graduation.
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Only 77% of recent graduates achieved that, and 5% are still unemployed.
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Internships Not Leading to Jobs
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Just 9.7% of recent grads landed jobs through internships or apprenticeships.
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This contrasts with 40% of rising grads who believe internships are a key entry path.
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Salary Expectations vs. Reality
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Starting Salary Gap
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Rising grads anticipate an average starting salary of $101,500.
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Actual average salary for recent grads is significantly lower at $68,400.
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Pay Satisfaction
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42% of recent grads reported not being able to secure their desired salary.
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Gender Pay Disparity
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Male graduates are starting with higher average salaries ($72,700) than female graduates ($67,500).
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Job Flexibility and Workplace Expectations
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Desire for Flexibility
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90% of rising grads place high importance on flexible work schedules.
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Reality of Work Flexibility
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Only 29% of recent grads report having very flexible job roles.
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Industry-Specific Insights
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Top Majors with Positive Outcomes
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Nursing and allied health majors rated most beneficial across major selection, job search, and employment outcomes.
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Industries Hiring Most Entry-Level Roles
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Nursing
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Special education
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Electronics engineering
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AI and the Job Market
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Concerns About AI Impact
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47% of recent grads and 46% of rising grads believe AI is reducing job availability in their field.
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Expert Commentary
Ian Siegel, Co-Founder and CEO of ZipRecruiter, emphasized the need for adaptability:
“Navigating the transition from campus to career can be a challenge… Start early, stay flexible, and remember, your first job is just the beginning of your journey.”
ZipRecruiter’s 2025 Grad Report underscores a growing mismatch between graduates’ expectations and the evolving job market. From pay gaps and hiring timelines to AI concerns and flexible work realities, today’s graduates are entering a job market that requires both resilience and strategic thinking. The key takeaway: adaptability and persistence will be critical to long-term career success.
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