For the second consecutive year, Forbes has acknowledged a top ten compilation of “New Ivies.” These university alumni are indicated to be “surpassing many Ivy Leaguers in the perception of employers” with comparably selective admission procedures and demanding coursework.
Among the ten distinguished public institutions, Coursera is honored to collaborate with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pittsburgh to facilitate their degree programs entirely online. Regarding the top 10 private colleges, Coursera affiliate Georgetown University secures the 3rd position.
Employer validation
Conversations with over 380 executives at the C-suite level led Forbes to conclude that employers may be reassessing their previous preference for Ivy League graduates. The article highlights that among the executives questioned, “Forty-two percent indicated that public institutions were doing a superior job at preparing entry-level candidates compared to five years ago.” Factors like egos, group think, and a deficiency in job preparedness were all mentioned as reasons that could shift hiring practices from what they may have been previously.
The increasing legitimacy of online credentials
Enhanced perspectives on talent acquisition transcend the mere consideration of where a candidate received their degree. Non-traditional online education has also gained wider acceptance among employers, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Champlain College’s 2023 nationwide survey involving 2,000 adults in the U.S. revealed that 84% believe employers are now more open to online degrees compared to before the pandemic, and 72% of respondents feel that online education is viewed as more credible today than it was five years ago.
This assertion is supported by a 2024 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which found that 87.4% of employers had recruited recent graduates possessing an online degree, and 100% of these employers provided the same starting salaries to online degree graduates as they did for traditional graduates. This suggests significant equivalence in the treatment of online qualifications, especially from universities featured in the “New Ivies” listing.
Online degree offerings designed for Coursera
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Michigan, the University of Pittsburgh, and Georgetown University collaborate with Coursera to provide some of their rigorous and industry-aligned degrees, available entirely online. While none of these institutions belong to the traditional Ivy League, they are esteemed universities producing graduates that top employers value. By partnering with Coursera to offer their online degrees, these universities can deliver high-quality instruction led by faculty while utilizing a platform that aims to enhance and reskill millions of learners globally.
We commend each of our university collaborators for their recognition from Forbes and for their ongoing innovations and proactive strategies in delivering high-quality education online. These opportunities have opened pathways for learners worldwide to attain top-tier education and turn their aspirations into tangible success.
Access the complete Forbes article here
Sources
Forbes: The New Ivies 2025: 20 Outstanding Colleges Employers Appreciate
JOB OUTLOOK 2024 (National Association of Colleges and Employers)
2023 Survey Indicates Online Degrees are More Accepted and Respected Than Ever (Champlain College Online)
The article Coursera University Partners Recognized in Forbes Top 10 List of “New Ivies” was first published on Coursera Blog.