Despite recent college graduates having a particularly tough time in the current job market, the most recent research indicates a postsecondary education still provides a good return on investment, long-term. From the time they begin their college career, students should be preparing for their exit — student loan debt, a gap before employment and a lower-than-ideal starting wage may be their initial realities. But a cautious approach to borrowing along with establishing fail-safes and solid support systems can make their entry into the professional world a bit easier.

The unemployment rate of recent college graduates (ages 22-27) is near 6% as of March 2025, according to the Current Population Survey. That’s higher than the overall unemployment rate (4%). Historically, the jobless rate of recent grads has been lower than the “all workers” rate. That first began to change around 2018, and since 2022 those rates have diverged further.

The BLS also publishes an annual release of related data, in greater detail. In that, the agency reports the unemployment rate of recent bachelor’s degree recipients (ages 20-29) to have been 15.3% in 2024.

Still, a college degree remains a good investment, for most. Recent research from the New York Fed indicates an annual wage premium of more than $30,000 for college graduates, though mileage varies based on the time spent achieving that degree and choice of majors.

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