Free 2025 Findings Report

Your Students Are on LinkedIn. But Many Are Figuring It Out Alone.

We surveyed 165 college students to understand how they actually use LinkedIn, where they struggle, and what they need from the people supporting their career development.

Get a data-backed look at the student experience with LinkedIn, networking, internships, job searching, and professional confidence.

By requesting the report, you agree to receive the report and occasional resources from The New College Perspective™. We do not sell your information.

Preview the Report

A look inside the 2025 findings.

See the report cover and sample pages before you download the full PDF.

Cover of The State of LinkedIn for College Students 2025 Findings Report — 2025 Findings Report cover

Sample page from the State of LinkedIn for College Students report showing student response snapshot — Student response snapshot

Profile findings and student data

What You’ll Learn

A practical look at where college students are getting stuck on LinkedIn and where institutional support can make a difference.

How students actually use LinkedIn

See how students are approaching the platform beyond simply creating an account.

Where profiles break down

See which profile areas , including About, Experience, Skills, Headline, and Recommendations , students say need the most work.

What keeps students inactive

Explore the barriers that stop students from posting, commenting, and messaging.

How students are networking

Learn who students connect with first and where stronger guidance can expand their networks.

How they approach internships and jobs

See how students use LinkedIn during the search process and where they experience friction.

What students recommend , and what career centers can do next

See what students say LinkedIn itself could improve, plus practical recommendations for the professionals supporting them.

Who It’s For

Built for the people supporting today’s college students.

If your work touches career readiness, student success, or access to professional opportunities, this report was created with you in mind.

Career Services Student Success First-Generation Programs Internship & Experiential Learning Academic Departments Scholarship Programs College Access Organizations Campus Organizations

Research Grounded in Student Experience

Not assumptions. Student responses.

The 2025 findings report is based on responses from students across community colleges, large public universities, and selective private institutions, from first-year students through PhD candidates.

165 student responses in the 2025 report

U.S. students from colleges and universities across the country

46% identified as first-generation college students

Beyond the Report

Want to bring this learning to your students?

The New College Perspective™ also offers practical LinkedIn workshops built around the gaps identified in this research. Download the report first, then explore what a session could look like for your campus or organization.

Ask About a Workshop

Get the 2025 Findings Report

See what students told us , and what it means for the professionals supporting them.

Get the Free Report