'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from 'talent is everywhere,' double down on top colleges | Fortune

"A 2025 survey of over 150 companies found that more than a quarter, 26%, were recruiting from a brief selection of schools, up from 17% that were doing the same in 2022, according to recruiting intelligence firm Veris Insights, which conducted the research."

"Even most of the surveyed companies that weren't recruiting from a shortlist of universities said they were focusing on "target schools," while also accepting applications from a list of other schools. That means candidates from prestigious universities that are located close to a company's headquarters are typically given priority, according to Chelsea Schein, Veris's vice president of research strategy, the Wall Street Journal reported."

""Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA in a hiring decision," Schein told Fortune. "There's an increasing recognition among employers that they can be more targeted in their approach.""

""Talent is everywhere" hiring seems to have fallen out of style for many reasons, according to entry-level recruiters. For one, it's expensive. It takes high sums to set up meetings with candidates and get recruiters to campuses across the country. Further, AI-generated résumés have made many applications appear identical, causing some recruiters to fall back on university prestige to distinguish candidates. And for many companies, DEI is no longer a priority."

Higher education faces pressures from political attacks, AI-driven application changes, and budget shortfalls, alongside declining public confidence in college degrees. Hiring patterns indicate that elite colleges are not losing their advantage. A 2025 survey of more than 150 companies found 26% recruit from a brief shortlist of schools, up from 17% in 2022. Companies not using shortlists still focus on “target schools” while accepting applications from additional institutions. Candidates from prestigious universities near company headquarters often receive priority. Recruiters increasingly use degree and GPA to make hiring decisions, and “talent is everywhere” approaches have declined due to cost, AI-generated resumes, and reduced emphasis on DEI.

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