High-Impact Undergraduate Experiences and How They Matter Now

August – October 2025 Survey of Recent U.S. College Graduates

The Elon University Center for Engaged Learning conducted an online survey of U.S. residents who were 18-34 years old and graduated with their first degree from a two- or four-year higher education institution in 2018 to 2025 (n=810). The survey explored recent graduates’ experiences during college with the key practices for fostering engaged learning, high-impact practices (e.g., internships, undergraduate research, study away), and mentoring, with attention to graduates’ perceptions of their work-readiness. The online survey was conducted August – October 2025.

Report of Topline Results

Two undergraduate women students worling together at desk with quote "College graduates who had these experiences are significantly more likely to consider college ‘worth it,’ considering both the costs and benefits.”

High-Impact, Career-Ready Internships and Research Experiences 

Last week, the Center for Engaged Learning released the topline results for our latest national survey of recent university graduates, exploring their experiences during college with the key practices for fostering engaged learning, high-impact practices (e.g., internships, undergraduate research, study away), and mentoring. In this post, I offer a closer…

Stuednts working together in professional environemnt with text: "when done well, HIPs are a smart programmatic or institutional investment to enhance student learning, retention, and completion during college.

The Long View of High-Impact Educational Practices 

High-impact educational practices (HIPs) like capstone experiences, internships, study away, and undergraduate research are associated with substantial learning gains for post-secondary students. Nearly two decades of research demonstrates benefits for students’ college completion, deep learning, and engagement (Kuh 2008; Brownell and Swaner 2010; Kuh and O’Donnell…