What Graduate Enrollment Leaders Get Right (and Wrong) About Career Advancement

In today’s saturated graduate education market—with over 800 new programs launching every year—standing out requires more than academic excellence. New research from PeopleGrove and NAGAP uncovers a compelling disconnect between what institutions promote and what prospective graduate students actually prioritize: career advancement.

This landmark report brings together survey responses from graduate enrollment leaders and data from over 1,500 graduate students nationwide to explore:

• What students expect from a graduate program—beyond curriculum and credentials
• How often enrollment leaders overlook key career-driven motivators
• The untapped potential of alumni engagement, mentoring, and professional networks in recruitment
• Why embedding community and career opportunities into the student journey creates a powerful competitive edge

Inside the Report:

• 76% of grad students cite career advancement as their primary reason for enrolling
• 66% say alumni networks and career access play a crucial role in their decision
• Only a small fraction of institutions are making these priorities visible in their recruitment strategies

Download the Report to Learn:

• Why graduate programs may be misaligned with their audience's top priorities
• What strategies leading institutions are using to stand out in a hyper-competitive market
• How your institution can shift from promoting “programs” to offering career outcomes
• How PeopleGrove enables schools to differentiate their graduate programs by weaving career development, community, and connections into every stage of the student funnel.

Who Should Download

This report is built for:

• Graduate Enrollment and Admissions Leaders
• Higher Ed Marketing & Communications Professionals
• Career Services and Student Success Teams
• Graduate Program Directors & Deans