As the job market grows harsher for new college graduates, schools are reshaping how they prepare students for the workforce. A new Forbes list of the “15 Top Colleges for Launching Your Career” highlights institutions that focus heavily on internships, co-ops, career coaching and employer partnerships.
“Students are seeing that having this cooperative experience and this work experience is turbocharging their peers’ entrance into the workforce,” said Jane Swift, former Massachusetts governor and president of Education at Work.
As entry-level roles evolve, employers are prioritizing emerging workplace skills such as AI literacy, adaptability, real-world work experience through internships or co-ops, strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
Career prep moves to the center of the student experience
Here’s how the top colleges on Forbes’ list are preparing students for a successful career post-graduation:
Northeastern University leads the list for its long-running co-op program, which began in 1909. Most students complete at least one co-op, and many complete two. The university builds these full-time work placements into the academic calendar. Within nine months of graduation, 82% of the Class of 2024 had jobs.
Carnegie Mellon University is known for strong programs in computer science and engineering, but it also stands out for early career planning. The university builds career planning into the first two years and hosts underclassmen-only recruiting events. Graduates earn a median salary of $100,500 three years into their careers, the highest on the list.
Meanwhile, at Georgia Institute of Technology, students who choose co-ops work multiple semesters with the same employer. That long-term connection often leads to full-time offers. More than one-third of the Class of 2024 accepted full-time jobs from their co-op employers, and nearly three-quarters were employed by graduation.
Babson College focuses on preparing students for careers in business and entrepreneurship. The college requires nearly all students to complete hands-on projects through internships or applied courses. About 87% of graduates are employed within six months, and alumni salaries rank among the highest nationwide.
Drexel University places nearly every student in at least one paid internship or co-op before graduation. Students earn money while gaining experience. The program helped 84% of the Class of 2024 land jobs within six months.
Other schools on the list show there is more than one path to career success. Berea College and The University of Texas at El Paso focus on access and affordability, pairing paid work with strong student support. Wentworth Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute require hands-on learning as part of graduation requirements, helping students apply classroom knowledge to real jobs.
Job experience sets graduates apart
Across all 15 colleges, one message stands out: experience matters. Only about 41% of students nationwide complete an internship or co-op before graduating, but most schools on the Forbes list far exceed that rate.
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