Recent data indicates a significant shift in the labor market for young men, with the unemployment rate for males aged 22 to 27 now roughly equivalent whether they hold a college degree or not. This trend, highlighted by a report from FORTUNE, challenges the long-held assumption of a substantial employment advantage for college graduates. The official social media account unusual_whales stated in a tweet, > "The unemployment rate of males aged 22 to 27 is roughly the same, whether or not they hold a degree, per FORTUNE."
According to a July 28, 2025, Fortune article, approximately 7% of college-educated American men in this age group are currently unemployed, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the roughly 4% unemployment rate observed among college-educated women in the same demographic. This narrowing gap signals a potential re-evaluation of the traditional "college premium" in the job market. The Federal Reserve's most recent data further supports this, indicating that the unemployment rate among recent college graduates is on the rise, reaching about 5.5%.
Analysis from a Goldman Sachs team, referenced in a July 14, 2025, Fortune report, found that the unemployment rate for native-born college graduates aged 22-27 stood at 3.8% in May 2025, marking the smallest gap with non-degree holders in decades. This contrasts sharply with 2010, when non-college-educated men faced unemployment rates exceeding 15%, while college graduates were closer to 7%. The New York Federal Reserve also reported a notable deterioration in the labor market for recent college graduates, with the unemployment rate jumping to 5.8% in the first quarter of 2025.
Several factors are contributing to this evolving landscape, including a growing trend of employers dropping degree requirements for certain positions. Additionally, there has been a notable rise in young men opting for skilled trade careers, which are often male-dominated and offer viable alternatives to traditional four-year degrees. This shift suggests a broader re-evaluation of educational pathways and career opportunities, particularly among the Gen Z demographic.