In 2018, 18 to 21-year-olds, who were part of Generation Z were more likely to be enrolled in college in comparison to Millennials and Generation X cohorts at a corresponding age. ** percent of Generation Z were enrolled in college in 2018 compared to ** percent of Gen Xers in 1987.

According to a survey conducted in 2023, ** percent of Gen Z teenagers in the United States agreed that college was a smart investment in the future, while ** percent believed that college was more of a gamble that may not pay off in the end. Gen Z teens who identified as Democrats were the most likely demographic group to agree that college was a smart investment, and Gen Z teens who were White were the most likely to think that college was more of a gamble.

According to a survey conducted in 2024, ** percent of hiring managers said that recent Generation Z graduates are more likely to expect high salaries than previous generations in the United States. A further ** percent believed that recent Gen Z grads have a worse work ethic, while ** percent found them to be more entitled compared to prior generations.

In the United States in 2022, ** percent of Gen Z respondents said that after thinking of the student loan debt they assumed for their own education, they would have chosen to work more while they were still in school, followed by ** percent who said that they would have applied for more scholarships.

How it Started

I was interested in collecting data about how Generation Z makes decisions because college is on the horizon for my classmates and me. We are becoming the leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators of tomorrow and behind every successful person, is their ability to make the right decision at the right time.

How I Collected my Data

I collected my data through google forms and before the answers started to trickle in, I created my own hypothesis. I thought that most students in Generation Z would not be afraid to make decisions and that since they are one of the smartest generations, they would be able to tackle the task of picking which college is best for them and why.

Inspiration

I am very much aware that a lot of research is being done to find out more about Generation Z, but I was so inspired by my research coach, Coach Jo, who is currently doing research with Dr. Peggy Dawson about Generation Z and Productivity. I learned that Generation Z is by far the smartest generation, but our attention spans are cut short because of how much we use technology and the internet. This research will help find out whether technology and making decision affects Generation Z and how we, as a society, can make better decisions for better futures.

During a survey of Gen Z students in the United States conducted in May 2023 it was found that close to **** of respondents used AI to get information about something, and ** percent did so to help with their schoolwork. In search for information, high schoolers were the most likely to use AI, while college students used this technology mostly to help with schoolwork.

As of 2024, ** percent of Generation Z college graduates in the United States preferred hybrid work, while ** percent preferred for work to be in-person. Only **** percent of Gen Z college grads preferred work to be fully remote.

According to a survey conducted in 2023, Gen Z adults in the United States were divided on whether college is a smart investment in the future or more of a gamble that may not pay off in the end, with ** percent of Gen Z agreeing with both of these statements. In comparison, Millennials were more likely to say that college was more of a gamble that may not pay off in the end, with ** percent sharing this belief.

Campus Food Ordering Apps Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global campus food ordering apps market size reached USD 2.34 billion in 2024, reflecting the increasing reliance on digital solutions within academic environments. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2025 to 2033, with a forecasted market size of USD 7.24 billion by 2033. This remarkable growth is being driven by the rising penetration of smartphones, the demand for convenience among students and faculty, and the integration of advanced payment and loyalty systems within campus ecosystems.

The primary growth factor for the campus food ordering apps market is the widespread adoption of digital technologies and mobile applications in higher education institutions. Universities and colleges are increasingly digitizing their campus services to enhance the overall student experience, and food ordering is a critical component of this transformation. The proliferation of smartphones and the familiarity of Gen Z and Millennial students with app-based services have fostered a strong demand for seamless, on-the-go food ordering solutions. Institutions are also leveraging these platforms to reduce wait times, streamline cafeteria operations, and gather valuable data on dining preferences, further fueling market expansion.

Another significant driver is the diversification of service offerings within campus food ordering apps. Modern platforms are no longer limited to basic delivery or pickup; they now offer integrated solutions including dine-in reservations, group ordering, and personalized meal recommendations based on dietary preferences. The ability to pay using various methods—ranging from online payments to campus cards—adds to the convenience and security for users. Additionally, partnerships between universities and local restaurants or food vendors are enriching campus dining options, making these apps indispensable for students, faculty, and even campus visitors.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of contactless food ordering and payment solutions, a trend that has continued to influence the campus food ordering apps market post-pandemic. Institutions are prioritizing health and safety, and these apps play a vital role in minimizing physical contact and managing crowd flow in dining areas. The integration of cloud-based deployment models enables real-time updates, scalability, and remote management, which is particularly valuable for multi-campus universities. Furthermore, the increasing focus on sustainability—such as reducing food waste and promoting eco-friendly packaging—has led to the inclusion of features that allow users to customize orders and track environmental impact.

From a regional perspective, North America currently dominates the campus food ordering apps market, owing to the high concentration of tech-savvy student populations, advanced campus infrastructures, and early adoption of digital services. However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period, driven by rapid digitalization in education, rising disposable incomes, and a burgeoning student population. Europe follows closely, with universities in the UK, Germany, and France increasingly integrating food ordering solutions as part of their digital campus strategies. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging markets, with significant potential as internet penetration and smartphone usage continue to rise.

Stadium Mobile Ordering is becoming an integral part of the campus food ordering ecosystem, especially in universities with large sports programs. This innovative solution allows students, faculty, and visitors to order food and beverages directly from their seats during events, enhancing the overall spectator experience. By integrating with existing campus food ordering apps, stadium mobile ordering provides a seamless and convenient way to enjoy refreshments without missing any action. The technology leverages real-time order tracking and mobile payment options, ensuring quick service and reducing congestion at concession stands. As universities continue to host large-scale events, the demand for efficient and user-friendly ordering solutions is expected to grow, making stadium mobile ordering a valuable addition to campus dining services.</p

A survey conducted between October 2023 and January 2024 found that 69 percent of Gen Z consumers in the U.S. at least once watched a professional sporting event. The share of Gen Alpha doing the same was 60 percent, according to their parents. College football was not as popular as the professional sporting events.

In 2024, Generation Z in the United States had an average of roughly ****** U.S. dollars in student loan debt. By contrast, Generation X had the highest student loan debt, amounting to approximately ****** U.S. dollars. The value of outstanding student loans has been consistently rising over the past few decades.

Over *** million students were enrolled in Russian higher education institutions in 2024. The number of students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in the country was lower than in 2010, when it exceeded ***** million, but has grown in recent years. Leading Russian universities The Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) ranked first in the list of top universities in Russia, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026, which placed it ***** worldwide. The Bauman Moscow State Technical University ranked first by faculty-to-student ratio in the country. The third place in the domestic ranking was occupied by the RUDN University in Moscow, which ranked ***** in the world. Job search after the university in Russia In 2022, roughly ***** in ten Russians who graduated from the university in the three previous years were employed in a field related to their studies. Furthermore, approximately *** half of graduates from the top 30 universities in Russia were willing to move abroad for better job opportunities in 2020. Around ** percent of Russian Generation Z representatives felt anxious or stressed thinking about their job and career prospects.

During a survey held in early 2021, it was found that 83 percent of adults aged between 18 and 29 years old had read a book in any format in the previous year, up by two percent from the share who said the same in 2019. The survey results showed that adults within this age category were more likely than older respondents to have read a book within the last twelve months.

Book readers in the U.S.

While it is mostly believed that book reading is a vanishing pastime, particularly among Millennials, surveys among consumers in the U.S. have shown the opposite. The share of book readers in the U.S. has varied from 72 percent to 79 percent between 2011 and 2016.

In regards to age of book readers in the country, a 2016 survey shows about 80 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 to 29 had read at least one book in the previous 12 months, the highest share amongst all age groups. About 73 percent of the respondents aged between 30 to 49 years old said they read at least one book in the last 12 months. The share among respondents between 50 and 64 years old stood at 70 percent, whereas 67 percent of respondents aged 65 plus stated reading book during the time measured. In terms of education level, book readers in the U.S. are more likely to have a college degree, or at least some college education – 86 percent and 81 percent respectively. Women in the U.S. read slightly more than men; 68 percent of male respondents started reading at least one book in the previous 12 months, against 77 percent of female respondents that said the same.

Despite the rise of digital platforms and the rising popularity of e-reading devices such as Kindle, Kobo and others, printed books still remain the most popular book format in the U.S., as 65 percent of Americans stated preference for printed books in 2016. E-books were consumed by 28 percent of respondents in 2016, whereas audio books were listened by 14 percent of the respondents. Millennials accounted for the largest share of printed book readers in the U.S. – 72 percent as of 2016.

According to a 2020 survey of Millennials in India, **** percent of respondents with a professional higher education or vocational college course background preferred to get married between the ages of 26 and 30 years old. A smaller share of respondents in this cohort, **** percent preferred to get married between the ages of ** and **.