Hiring Outlook for College Graduates Worst in 5 Years, US Employers Say

Despite AI’s impact on entry-level employment, 61 percent of employers noted that they are not replacing junior roles with AI.

Students cheer during the 374th Harvard Commencement in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Mass., on May 29, 2025. Rick Friedman/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. labor market may not be in great shape for college graduates when they receive their diplomas in the spring, according to a new National Association of Colleges and Employers report.

Employers are bracing for 2026 to deliver the toughest job market for college graduates in five years, with more than half (51 percent) of surveyed 183 employers rating the job market as poor or fair.