GITNUXREPORT 2025

Gen Z Education Statistics

Gen Z prioritizes diversity, mental health, technology, and real-world skills in education.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Approximately 60% of Gen Z students prioritize career prospects when choosing colleges

Statistic 2

35% of Gen Z students have participated in virtual internships

Statistic 3

Approximately 55% of Gen Z students are interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields

Statistic 4

50% of Gen Z students report feeling unprepared for the job market after graduation

Statistic 5

53% of Gen Z students have changed their major at least once during college

Statistic 6

65% of Gen Z students believe soft skills are equally important as hard skills for future careers

Statistic 7

58% of Gen Z students report participating in unpaid internships to gain experience

Statistic 8

69% of Gen Z students hold part-time jobs while studying

Statistic 9

Approximately 80% of Gen Z college students use social media to research colleges and universities

Statistic 10

75% of Gen Z students use smartphones daily for educational purposes

Statistic 11

37% of Gen Z students participate in online forums or communities related to their studies

Statistic 12

33% of Gen Z students reduce their screen time for non-educational purposes to focus more on studies

Statistic 13

27% of Gen Z students participate in online hackathons or coding competitions

Statistic 14

38% of Gen Z students express concern over data privacy and online security in their digital learning environments

Statistic 15

45% of Gen Z students have taken an online course outside of traditional school hours

Statistic 16

55% of Gen Z students believe digital tools improve their learning experience

Statistic 17

Around 65% of Gen Z students prefer personalized learning experiences over traditional lectures

Statistic 18

45% of Gen Z students believe that remote learning has made education more accessible

Statistic 19

52% of Gen Z students attend community colleges, compared to 48% in four-year institutions

Statistic 20

85% of Gen Z students believe that incorporating technology into classroom learning is essential

Statistic 21

40% of Gen Z students report using TikTok as a learning resource

Statistic 22

48% of Gen Z students prefer hybrid (combination of online and in-person) learning models

Statistic 23

65% of Gen Z students report that their educators use multimedia tools regularly in lessons

Statistic 24

55% of Gen Z students want courses that include real-world application projects

Statistic 25

42% of Gen Z college students have taken part in peer-led study groups

Statistic 26

62% of Gen Z students use YouTube tutorials to supplement their learning

Statistic 27

59% of Gen Z college students report balancing work and study regularly

Statistic 28

47% of Gen Z students are interested in learning via gamified platforms

Statistic 29

78% of Gen Z students value flexible learning schedules

Statistic 30

40% of Gen Z students have utilized mobile learning apps for their coursework

Statistic 31

29% of Gen Z students report that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a permanent change in their education approach

Statistic 32

40% of Gen Z students express interest in online or remote apprenticeships

Statistic 33

33% of Gen Z students have participated in maker or STEM creator spaces as part of their learning experience

Statistic 34

56% of Gen Z students use podcasts related to their academic interests

Statistic 35

52% of Gen Z students prefer courses that involve collaborative projects over solitary assignments

Statistic 36

44% of Gen Z students are interested in entrepreneurial education programs during college

Statistic 37

70% of Gen Z students want more experiential learning opportunities like internships and community projects

Statistic 38

49% of Gen Z students believe that teachers should incorporate more real-world problems into their lessons

Statistic 39

45% of Gen Z students prefer to receive feedback digitally (email, apps) rather than face-to-face

Statistic 40

50% of Gen Z students report experiencing stress related to academic performance

Statistic 41

20% of Gen Z students have dropped out of a course due to mental health challenges

Statistic 42

60% of Gen Z students have experienced online harassment or bullying related to their studies

Statistic 43

33% of Gen Z students have taken gaps year before college, citing mental health and burnout as main reasons

Statistic 44

70% of Gen Z students discuss mental health openly with peers, according to a report from the APA

Statistic 45

28% of Gen Z students report experiencing financial stress related to college costs

Statistic 46

53% of Gen Z students prioritize mental health services when choosing a college

Statistic 47

46% of Gen Z students are concerned about student debt and its impact on their future financial stability

Statistic 48

38% of Gen Z students have experienced digital fatigue from studying online extensively

Statistic 49

65% of Gen Z students believe that institutions should offer more mental health support services

Statistic 50

Nearly 70% of Gen Z students value diversity and inclusion as a top factor in selecting a school

Statistic 51

54% of Gen Z students believe that climate change topics should be integrated into school curricula

Statistic 52

49% of Gen Z students seek educational content that reflects societal issues and activism

Statistic 53

61% of Gen Z students consider social justice issues an important part of their education

Statistic 54

60% of Gen Z students report that their education has influenced their political opinions

Statistic 55

43% of Gen Z students participate in online activism related to educational causes

Statistic 56

53% of Gen Z students have integrated sustainability topics into their coursework or projects

Statistic 57

32% of Gen Z students have experienced an increase in motivation when learning about issues they care about

Slide 1 of 57

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 60% of Gen Z students prioritize career prospects when choosing colleges
Nearly 70% of Gen Z students value diversity and inclusion as a top factor in selecting a school
45% of Gen Z students have taken an online course outside of traditional school hours
55% of Gen Z students believe digital tools improve their learning experience
35% of Gen Z students have participated in virtual internships
Approximately 80% of Gen Z college students use social media to research colleges and universities
50% of Gen Z students report experiencing stress related to academic performance
Around 65% of Gen Z students prefer personalized learning experiences over traditional lectures
45% of Gen Z students believe that remote learning has made education more accessible
20% of Gen Z students have dropped out of a course due to mental health challenges
75% of Gen Z students use smartphones daily for educational purposes
52% of Gen Z students attend community colleges, compared to 48% in four-year institutions
85% of Gen Z students believe that incorporating technology into classroom learning is essential

Gen Z is revolutionizing education with their passion for diversity, digital innovation, and experiential learning, shaping the future of how colleges and universities meet the needs of this tech-savvy, socially conscious generation.

Career Development and Skills

Approximately 60% of Gen Z students prioritize career prospects when choosing colleges
35% of Gen Z students have participated in virtual internships
Approximately 55% of Gen Z students are interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields
50% of Gen Z students report feeling unprepared for the job market after graduation
53% of Gen Z students have changed their major at least once during college
65% of Gen Z students believe soft skills are equally important as hard skills for future careers
58% of Gen Z students report participating in unpaid internships to gain experience
69% of Gen Z students hold part-time jobs while studying

Career Development and Skills Interpretation

As Gen Z navigates the evolving educational landscape—balancing career aspirations with practical experience and soft skills—it's clear that they see college less as a traditional rite of passage and more as a strategic launchpad in a job market that often feels uncharted and competitive.

Digital Engagement and Technology Use

Approximately 80% of Gen Z college students use social media to research colleges and universities
75% of Gen Z students use smartphones daily for educational purposes
37% of Gen Z students participate in online forums or communities related to their studies
33% of Gen Z students reduce their screen time for non-educational purposes to focus more on studies
27% of Gen Z students participate in online hackathons or coding competitions
38% of Gen Z students express concern over data privacy and online security in their digital learning environments

Digital Engagement and Technology Use Interpretation

As digital natives balancing the benefits of connectivity with the perils of privacy concerns, Gen Z college students are transforming education into a high-stakes online arena where curiosity, focus, and security go hand in hand.

Education and Learning Preferences

45% of Gen Z students have taken an online course outside of traditional school hours
55% of Gen Z students believe digital tools improve their learning experience
Around 65% of Gen Z students prefer personalized learning experiences over traditional lectures
45% of Gen Z students believe that remote learning has made education more accessible
52% of Gen Z students attend community colleges, compared to 48% in four-year institutions
85% of Gen Z students believe that incorporating technology into classroom learning is essential
40% of Gen Z students report using TikTok as a learning resource
48% of Gen Z students prefer hybrid (combination of online and in-person) learning models
65% of Gen Z students report that their educators use multimedia tools regularly in lessons
55% of Gen Z students want courses that include real-world application projects
42% of Gen Z college students have taken part in peer-led study groups
62% of Gen Z students use YouTube tutorials to supplement their learning
59% of Gen Z college students report balancing work and study regularly
47% of Gen Z students are interested in learning via gamified platforms
78% of Gen Z students value flexible learning schedules
40% of Gen Z students have utilized mobile learning apps for their coursework
29% of Gen Z students report that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a permanent change in their education approach
40% of Gen Z students express interest in online or remote apprenticeships
33% of Gen Z students have participated in maker or STEM creator spaces as part of their learning experience
56% of Gen Z students use podcasts related to their academic interests
52% of Gen Z students prefer courses that involve collaborative projects over solitary assignments
44% of Gen Z students are interested in entrepreneurial education programs during college
70% of Gen Z students want more experiential learning opportunities like internships and community projects
49% of Gen Z students believe that teachers should incorporate more real-world problems into their lessons
45% of Gen Z students prefer to receive feedback digitally (email, apps) rather than face-to-face

Education and Learning Preferences Interpretation

As digital natives, 85% of Gen Z students see tech as essential in learning—from TikTok tutorials and YouTube tips to personalized, hybrid, and gamified courses—highlighting a generation for whom accessibility, real-world relevance, and flexible, multimedia-rich education are not just preferences but imperatives for success.

Mental Health and Well-being

50% of Gen Z students report experiencing stress related to academic performance
20% of Gen Z students have dropped out of a course due to mental health challenges
60% of Gen Z students have experienced online harassment or bullying related to their studies
33% of Gen Z students have taken gaps year before college, citing mental health and burnout as main reasons
70% of Gen Z students discuss mental health openly with peers, according to a report from the APA
28% of Gen Z students report experiencing financial stress related to college costs
53% of Gen Z students prioritize mental health services when choosing a college
46% of Gen Z students are concerned about student debt and its impact on their future financial stability
38% of Gen Z students have experienced digital fatigue from studying online extensively
65% of Gen Z students believe that institutions should offer more mental health support services

Mental Health and Well-being Interpretation

While Gen Z students are bravely speaking out about mental health and pushing for more support, the staggering rates of stress, burnout, and online harassment highlight a pressing need for educational institutions to not only listen but also actively implement comprehensive mental health initiatives—because the future of learning depends on it.

Social and Environmental Awareness

Nearly 70% of Gen Z students value diversity and inclusion as a top factor in selecting a school
54% of Gen Z students believe that climate change topics should be integrated into school curricula
49% of Gen Z students seek educational content that reflects societal issues and activism
61% of Gen Z students consider social justice issues an important part of their education
60% of Gen Z students report that their education has influenced their political opinions
43% of Gen Z students participate in online activism related to educational causes
53% of Gen Z students have integrated sustainability topics into their coursework or projects
32% of Gen Z students have experienced an increase in motivation when learning about issues they care about

Social and Environmental Awareness Interpretation

As Gen Z's education preferences blend activism with academia, it's clear that today's students are not only shaping their classrooms to reflect societal issues and climate concerns but also redefining the purpose of education as a catalyst for social change.