56% of current students work full time, making the working learner the new majority.

74% of learners want career pathways and salary outcomes integrated into degree planning, while only four percent say their institution currently provides this information.

71% are interested in alternative or stackable credentials, yet only three percent currently participate in these programs.

Today's students are not merely selecting a college; they are weighing whether higher education aligns with their daily realities and justifies the financial commitment. This shift has prompted a new set of questions—questions that differ markedly from those posed just a few years ago:

  • Can I balance education with work?
  • Can I actually afford this?
  • Will this degree lead to the career I want?
  • Will this institution continue to support me after graduation?

Higher education has not diminished in value, but the criteria by which students measure that value have evolved. The 2026 Student Voice Report from Ellucian, based on a national survey of more than 2,000 learners—including currently enrolled college students and college-bound high schoolers—indicates that institutional relevance has emerged as a key competitive differentiator. Students are not seeking additional promises; they demand evidence that an institution comprehends the realities of their lives.

A closer examination of the findings reveals several recurring themes.

The "Traditional" Student Is Becoming the Exception

The archetype of a student devoted solely to coursework is rapidly receding. More than half of today's college students are employed full time while pursuing their degrees. For many, work is not a resume enhancement; it is the financial foundation that makes college attainable. This reality reshapes what students require from their institutions.

Flexibility often determines whether a student remains on track or falls behind. Students need class schedules that accommodate their jobs, advising services available when questions arise, and support structures designed for the multiple responsibilities they juggle. Institutions that acknowledge these circumstances are better positioned to guide students from enrollment through graduation.

Beyond Financial Aid: Students Seek Confidence

Students desire financial aid information that is timely, comprehensible, and conducive to informed decision-making. This confidence is critical. The research indicates that 90% of students report financial stress adversely affecting their mental health, underscoring that financial uncertainty impacts more than just affordability.

However, fewer than one-third of respondents say they fully understand their financial aid package and repayment terms. Institutions that mitigate financial ambiguity and connect students with timely support can help dismantle barriers that impede both persistence and academic success.

One finding stands out: nearly half of respondents indicated that an additional $5,000 or less could have altered their enrollment choice. For students already managing tuition, housing, transportation, and other daily expenses, that amount can bridge a meaningful gap. Sometimes, the difference between enrolling and walking away is not a dramatically larger scholarship but rather faster communication, clearer guidance, and the removal of uncertainty at a pivotal moment.

Students Demand Clearer Degree-to-Career Connections

Students increasingly view higher education as an investment, prompting a desire to understand the return. Nearly 75% of learners want career pathways and salary information incorporated into degree planning, yet only four percent report receiving such information from their institution. This disparity reflects one of the most pronounced mismatches between student expectations and institutional offerings.

When institutions link academics to careers through advising, employment trend analysis, internships, and employer partnerships, students gain confidence that their education leads to meaningful outcomes.

Learning Extends Beyond Graduation

Students no longer perceive education as a one-time event. Seventy-one percent of respondents expressed interest in stackable credentials and alternative learning pathways, yet participation remains strikingly low at only three percent. This suggests that demand is not the issue; awareness and access are the primary obstacles.

For institutions, lifelong learning represents more than a new programmatic area—it is an opportunity to cultivate relationships that extend well beyond a student's initial credential. By facilitating re-enrollment, reskilling, and continuous education throughout a career, institutions can sustain engagement long after the first diploma is conferred.

Relevance as a Competitive Advantage

The findings are unequivocal: students still expect a robust academic experience, but that is no longer the sole measure of an institution's worth. They seek institutions that integrate into their lives, communicate transparently, connect education to opportunity, and deliver value well past graduation. Institutions that meet these expectations will not only attract students—they will earn their trust.

Explore the Full Report

The 2026 Student Voice Report delves deeper into the research and offers practical strategies for institutions to:

  • Better support working learners
  • Build greater financial transparency
  • Connect academic planning with career outcomes
  • Expand pathways for lifelong learning

Download the full report to explore the complete findings and discover practical strategies to better support today's learners—and to help your institution remain relevant to tomorrow's.