WASHINGTON, D.C. — Artificial intelligence is shaping how many college students think about their academic paths. Forty-two percent of bachelor’s degree students say AI has caused them to give at least a fair amount of thought to changing their major, including 13% who say they have thought about it a great deal. Even more associate degree students, 56%, say AI has prompted them to rethink their field of study at least a fair amount, including 15% who say a great deal.
These results are from the Lumina Foundation-Gallup 2026 State of Higher Education Study, conducted via web Oct. 2-31, 2025, among U.S. college students aged 18 to 59. The survey is based on 1,433 students pursuing an associate degree and 2,368 students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Respondents were recruited from an opt-in online panel.
16% of Students Have Changed Their Major Due to AI
The survey also finds that a significant minority of currently enrolled students (16%) report having already changed their major or field of study because of AI’s potential impact. Associate degree students are slightly more likely than bachelor’s degree students to say they have done so (19% vs. 13%, respectively). Men are also more likely than women to report changing majors because of AI (21% vs. 12%).
Some Students Say AI Affected Their Enrollment Decision
Beyond shaping decisions about fields of study, artificial intelligence is also influencing some students’ decision to enroll in higher education in the first place. While traditional motivations such as gaining skills, higher pay and career fulfillment remain far more common, about one in seven bachelor’s degree students (14%) and associate degree students (13%) each say preparing for AI and other technological advances is an important reason they enrolled. Similar shares cite concern about AI’s impact on the job market (12% in both groups), indicating that AI is already part of how many students evaluate the role of postsecondary education in a changing labor market.
Bottom Line
Artificial intelligence is not yet the primary driver of students’ academic and enrollment decisions, but its influence is significant given how quickly the technology has entered the labor market. Many students are already factoring AI’s impact into decisions about majors, and some cite it as a reason for enrolling in college.
For higher education leaders and policymakers, these findings highlight growing student attention to how well degrees align with an AI-shaped economy. Ensuring that programs clearly connect learning outcomes to evolving workforce needs and helping students understand how AI skills translate into careers will be critical as the demand for future-ready credentials continues to grow.
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