Students are placing greater emphasis on purpose, safety, wellbeing and affordability when choosing universities, moving away from traditional indicators such as institutional rankings and prestige, according to the IC3 Annual Student Quest Report 2025.

The report was released at the IC3 Regional Conference – South Asia, held on 23–24 January 2026 at O.P. Jindal Global University in Sonipat, Haryana. Based on responses from students in the graduating classes of 2026 and 2027, the global study examines changing approaches to academic and career planning and identifies gaps in existing guidance systems.

More than 80 per cent of students reported using artificial intelligence tools for career exploration, university shortlisting or application support, compared with around 60 per cent of counsellors. The report notes that this gap may leave students making key decisions without adequate professional guidance.

Family remains the primary source of advice for most students, with 75 per cent relying on family members for career and university guidance. Only 33 per cent said they consult school counsellors. Among students who did receive counselling, 80 per cent said it helped them make more informed career decisions, while 63 per cent reported improved communication with their parents.

Entrepreneurship is emerging as a significant influence on higher education choices. Seventy-one per cent of students said access to entrepreneurial support affects their choice of university, and more than 80 per cent want entrepreneurship included in school curricula.

Commenting on the findings, Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, said students are increasingly seeking environments that support their aspirations, wellbeing and long-term development. He added that career and college counselling must be integrated more deeply within education systems to meet these expectations.

The report calls on schools and higher education institutions to adopt a “Counselling as a Culture” approach, embedding guidance across leadership, curriculum, teacher training and parent engagement. It highlights the need for counselling models that respond to the growing role of AI, entrepreneurship and mental health in student decision-making.

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