9 in 10 College Students Worry About Coronavirus’ Economic Impact

Photo by Markus Spiske/Unsplash

College students’ concerns about the pandemic’s economic impact remain sky high as the United States’ coronavirus outbreak shows no signs of slowing down.

A new college survey of 2,000 undergraduates finds that an overwhelming majority (93%) say they are concerned about coronavirus’ impact on the American job market, roughly the same as in mid-April (92%). More than half (55%) are very concerned, while 38% are somewhat concerned.

In addition to the job market, a strong majority (94%) of students are also concerned about the virus’ impact on the economy in general. But upperclassmen are especially worried. Seniors (62%) are more likely than juniors (59%) and sophomores (54%) to say they are very concerned about the economy.

6 in 10 Seniors are Very Concerned About the Economy

How concerned are you about coronavirus’ impact on the economy in general?

Students now expect to graduate and start their early careers in a recession. A majority (63%) of students overall say they are not confident the U.S. economy will recover before they graduate, an increase from last quarter (55%). However, underclassmen are significantly less worried than upperclassmen. Almost half (48%) of sophomores don’t expect the economy to recover before they graduate, compared to three-quarters (75%) of seniors.

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Methodology: This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted among a sample of 2,000 full-time and part-time students attending four-year colleges or universities in the U.S. who are part of College Pulse’s American College Student Panel.