According to the recently released Tyton Partners’ report, Driving Towards a Degree, career readiness is now the clearest measure of higher education’s value in the United States. This new reality is an opportunity for higher education institutions to show how they are actively transforming education to make sure students are career-ready and give employers the workers they need to fill hiring gaps.   

Setting the Scene

College graduates are entering a workforce that is increasingly reliant on automation and AI.

According to a study by Encoura, the unemployment rate for recent college grads was 

5.8%

in March 2025 - the highest since 2013. 

A recent article from Forbes entitled “Unemployment Crisis: Why College Graduates Are Struggling In 2025,” described the difficulties recent graduates are having when they enter the job market. Some estimates show a 40% decline since January 2023 in entry jobs that have a high exposure to AI technologies. 

Percent Change in New Job Postings for

Entry-Level Jobs Relative to January 2023

Since January 2023

40% decline

in entry jobs that have a high exposure to AI technologies

Public Sentiment

In a changing economy, career readiness is a top priority for students, higher education institutions, and employers.

The U.S. will need an 

additional 5 million skilled workers

who need some postsecondary education by 2032.

Of those workers, an estimated

4.5 million will need a college degree

for jobs that require critical skills in fields like nursing, education, and engineering.

Nationally, more than

98% of Americans agree

that a college degree should prepare students for a career.

Colleges and universities respond to these challenges in real time as they shift toward more career-oriented programs. Using experiential learning that’s hands-on and uses real world examples, this content is well suited to engage and prepare students with the skills they need.

Effective Course Materials Lead to Successful Outcomes

Course materials designed for workforce needs paired with future-focused curriculums will ensure that students are prepared for life after graduation, and employers have a pool of qualified workers to drive success and power the economy.

Quality higher education course materials designed for real workforce needs are bridging the skills gap between colleges and employers.

Education content and technology providers are at the forefront of providing:

High-Quality, Research-Backed Tools

Scalable Solutions That Drive Real Outcomes

References:

Brennan, D., Bharadwaj, P., Narayanan, A., Shaw, C., Collins, I., Janson, N., & Bryant, G. (2025, August). Driving Toward a Degree - 2025. Tyton Partners

Friesen, Garth, Unemployment Crisis: Why College Graduates Are Struggling In 2025. Forbes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/garthfriesen/2025/10/23/unemployment-crisis-why-college-graduates-are-struggling-in-2025/