Overview
- NACE’s Job Outlook 2026 survey of 183 employers finds hiring plans are largely unchanged, with a majority rating the entry‑level market as poor or fair.
- Survey responses show roughly 25% of employers expect to hire more graduates, about 60% plan to hold steady, and around 14% anticipate cuts.
- On AI, about 60% of employers say they are not replacing entry‑level roles, 25% are unsure, and 14% report discussing replacement.
- Labor‑market platform Handshake reports August full‑time postings fell over 16% year over year while applications per job rose 26%, signaling heavier competition.
- Breitbart cites DOJ pledges to step up visa‑related enforcement and reports polling frustration over H‑1B use, alongside about 400,000 OPT work permits in 2024.