The landscape of higher education is constantly evolving, and understanding the motivations and needs of incoming students is more critical than ever. Recent data from over 50,000 student records collected through the College Student Inventory (CSI) in the fall of 2025 reveals key insights into student commitment, career support needs, financial security, and top priorities for first-year students particularly those who are first-generation.
Is College Worth It? A Growing Question
While commitment to finishing college remains high (over 96%), a concerning 25% of students are questioning whether the time, money, and effort of college are truly worthwhile. This sentiment is even more prevalent among students at four-year private institutions (27%) and first-generation students (28%). The good news? This represents a slight decrease from 2024 (27% vs. 25%), indicating a marginal improvement in perceived value.
Top 10 Priorities for Incoming First-Year Students
To ensure a smooth transition and foster student success, institutions need to be aware of what's top-of-mind for these students:
1. Would like to meet some new friends at informal gathering | |
2. Help selecting education plan to get good job | |
3. Find out more about clubs and social organizations at college | |
4. Receive help to improve study habits | |
5. Talk about qualifications needed for certain occupations | |
6. Talk about getting a scholarship with someone | |
7. Would like instruction on how to take college exams | |
8. Talk with someone about salaries and future for occupation | |
9. Find out about student government and activities on campus | |
10. Meet an experienced student to seek advice | |
These priorities highlight a need for both social connection and academic support. Students may struggle to articulate their needs or navigate available resources, making early assessment and targeted interventions crucial.
Looking Ahead: Supporting the Next Generation
The data paints a clear picture: today's college students are driven, ambitious, and seeking support as they navigate a complex transition. By understanding their priorities, from social connection and career exploration to financial security, institutions can proactively address potential challenges and foster a thriving campus environment. Leveraging tools like early alert assessments and robust support services is key to ensuring these students not only start successfully but persist to graduation.
Download the 2026 College Student Motivation Infographic to explore these findings in a shareable format and use them to spark conversations with your campus leadership, advising teams, and student success professionals.
The national data tells us what today's students are experiencing. Institution-specific assessment data helps us understand what your students need. Together, they provide a powerful foundation for creating proactive, student-centered support strategies that foster persistence and success. To learn more visit RNL.com/RMSPlus
