Key Points
- 90% of recent college graduates report a positive college experience, but only 70% say it was worth the cost.
- Graduates who made academic and financial plans in advance are more likely to feel successful.
- Access to internships and campus career services is strongly linked to job placement and higher self-reported success.
According to the 2025 edition of How America Succeeds After College, published by Sallie Mae and Ipsos, the vast majority of young adults who completed college in the last five years say they had a good experience. In total, 90% rated their college years positively, including 26% who said the experience was excellent and 39% who called it very good.
Despite this, only 70% said the cost of college was justified. That leaves nearly one-third of graduates uncertain or dissatisfied when comparing what they paid to what they received. Among those who said they felt “very successful” post-graduation, 84% believed their education was worth it. But among those who felt neutral or unsuccessful, that figure dropped to 53%.
Other key findings include:
- 82% of recent graduates are employed, with 74% working in a field that they studied.
- 75% of borrowers are confident that they can repay their loans
- 84% have a positive outlook on their lives and believe their income will improve over the next 5 years
The results show that while satisfaction with the college experience remains high, doubts linger over affordability and long-term value.
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Planning Ahead Makes A Big Difference
Graduates who entered college with a clear financial and academic strategy were more likely to feel satisfied with their outcomes. Three out of four graduates who created a plan to pay for all years of college before enrolling said they felt successful in life after college, compared to just 54% of those who did not have a plan.
The same pattern held true for career preparation. Only 37% of graduates reported using their school’s career services, but those who did were significantly more likely to land jobs in their field of study. Eighty-two percent of those who accessed these services secured employment in a related role. Conversely, 64% of all graduates said they regretted not taking full advantage of available campus resources.
Internships also made a difference. Graduates who held internships while in college were not only more likely to be employed in their field but also more likely to describe themselves as “very successful” after graduation.
Career And Financial Success
Grads continue to associate success with stability across multiple parts of their lives. The top three indicators of success cited in the study were financial health (46%), mental health (36%), and career progress (30%). While 70% rated their mental health positively, 40% also said they wanted to improve it.
In terms of employment, 82% of recent graduates were working, and 74% reported that their job aligned with their degree.
Most graduates (especially those who borrowed) felt confident about their ability to repay their student loans. Among borrowers, 75% expressed repayment confidence, and 74% said they would have rather borrowed than skipped college altogether.
Nearly all recent graduates (94%) are working toward at least one financial goal. The most common include saving for retirement (47%), saving for a major purchase (44%), and building an emergency fund (37%).
What Families Should Take Away From This
The key takeaway from this study should be that college is still worth it - as long as families don't overpay. College allows graduates to land jobs and earn more over their careers. College can also provide a valuable skillset for life after graduation. But it's not always worth it.
When families overpay for college, it can be hard to repay the debt. And that debt can last for decades. A big part of the student loan crisis today is that families overpaid (and over-borrowed), and their career earnings aren't enough to repay the debt and live a fulfilling life.
So, while 90% of grads are reporting a positive experience, remember that on 70% said it was worth the cost. 30% of millions of graduates is concerning - and that should be at the top of mind as you navigate paying for college.
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Editor: Colin Graves
Robert Farrington is the founder of The College Investor and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices on student loan debt and saving for college. He holds an MBA from UC San Diego Rady School of Management and has spent over 15 years researching, writing, and advising on student loans, 529 plans, financial aid programs, and saving and investing for young professionals.
Robert has been featured in the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, NBC News, and Forbes, where he has been a regular personal finance contributor for over a decade. His work combines both professional expertise and personal experience – he successfully navigated his own student loan repayment journey and has helped thousands of readers do the same.
He is committed to making the intersection of personal finance and education transparent and accessible. You can learn more about Robert on the About Page or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.