What Students Value in College

Survey Report ┃ May 2026

Though students value college as a pathway to financial security and a good job, they are also seeking an education that creates a sense of purpose, identity exploration, and personal growth. Having mentors and opportunities to apply learning to real-world contexts are viewed by students as being particularly valuable, though relatively few students report actually encountering these resources or opportunities.

This report details findings from a recent national survey conducted by the LearningWell Coalition in partnership with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and Morning Consult. The findings explore students’ motivations for attending college and their engagement in high-impact educational practices such as internships, mentorship, research and more, and the effect on those factors on their wellbeing.