Are graduate employment rates becoming more important to students?
New QS data reveals how employability is shaping student decisions.
Hello,
How much do graduate employment outcomes influence where and what students choose to study?
New data from the QS International Student Survey 2026 suggests employability is becoming increasingly important throughout the student decision-making journey.
Graduate employment rates are influencing course choices more than ever
In 2020, 36% of prospective international students considered graduate employment rates important when choosing a course. By 2026, that figure had risen to 44%.
The importance of graduate employment rates has also increased in other areas:
- 59% consider them important when assessing teaching quality, up from 53% in 2020.
- 37% consider them important when choosing a university, up from 33%.
What does this mean for universities?
Students are increasingly looking for evidence that their education will translate into career opportunities.
High graduate employment rates are the most valued graduate outcome measure, but students also want to know how quickly graduates find work.
Demonstrating employment outcomes, industry connections and practical career pathways is becoming an increasingly important part of student recruitment.