The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates
This information sheds light on the employment experience of young people across the United States as they transition from college to the labor market. Labor market conditions continued to be challenging for recent college graduates at the start of 2026. The unemployment rate remained elevated at about 5.7 percent in the first quarter of 2026, though the underemployment rate edged down to 41.5 percent. Data on unemployment and underemployment are updated quarterly, generally in February, May, August, and November. The wages and outcomes by major tabs are updated annually in February. Read more.