The underemployment rate for recent US college graduates has surged to 42.5%, reaching its highest level since the peak during the 2020 pandemic and matching figures from the 2008 Financial Crisis. This troubling statistic indicates that nearly half of all recent graduates are in jobs that do not necessitate a college degree, highlighting a significant labor market mismatch. Specific majors, such as criminal justice and performing arts, show particularly high underemployment rates, with 67.2% and 62.3% respectively. Furthermore, the issue extends beyond initial employment, as 45.0% of graduates remain underemployed a decade after graduation, raising concerns about the value of higher education in today’s job market.
US college underemployment rate hits 42.5%, highest since 2020
