Graduate Degree Job Market Shifts Amidst AI Influence
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 18 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Job Market Pressure: Analysis by the Burning Glass Institute reveals that the unemployment rate for workers under 35 with master's degrees is nearing a two-decade high, indicating a shift in the perception of graduate degrees as a reliable job market hedge, particularly as AI reshapes hiring practices.
- Skills-First Trend: Employers increasingly prioritize specific technical skills and work experience over generalized graduate credentials, which could impact investment in higher education and workforce training companies, with those focused on vocational training and certification programs likely to benefit.
- Degree Saturation: The number of master's programs in the U.S. has surged nearly 70% over the past two decades to over 33,500, particularly in business, healthcare, and technology, leading to intense competition among degree holders and diminishing their ability to differentiate candidates in the job market.
- Shifting Recruitment Strategies: A survey from Drexel University indicates that more employers plan to avoid hiring MBA graduates this year, reflecting a broader shift towards skills-first recruitment strategies, with AI enabling companies to assess candidates based on demonstrated competencies rather than solely on academic qualifications.
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Analyst Views on PXED
Wall Street analysts forecast PXED stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 31.190
Low
36.00
Averages
45.17
High
54.00
Current: 31.190
Low
36.00
Averages
45.17
High
54.00
About PXED
Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. is an online education provider. The Company, through its subsidiary The University of Phoenix, Inc. provides online higher education for working adults in the United States. The Company is focused on delivering a personalized, career-relevant education to its students through its flexible learning model, skills-aligned curriculum and accessible tuition costs. It offers approximately 72 degree-granting and 33 nondegree certificate programs across a range of disciplines. Its degrees and courses include Behavioral Sciences, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Healthcare, Information Technology, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Psychology, Take a Single Course. Its non-degree offerings include shorter credit-bearing certificates and non-credit professional development courses that provide students with critical skills for career advancement and benefit employers by upskilling their employees.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Graduate Degree Job Market Shifts Amidst AI Influence
- Job Market Pressure: Analysis by the Burning Glass Institute reveals that the unemployment rate for workers under 35 with master's degrees is nearing a two-decade high, indicating a shift in the perception of graduate degrees as a reliable job market hedge, particularly as AI reshapes hiring practices.
- Skills-First Trend: Employers increasingly prioritize specific technical skills and work experience over generalized graduate credentials, which could impact investment in higher education and workforce training companies, with those focused on vocational training and certification programs likely to benefit.
- Degree Saturation: The number of master's programs in the U.S. has surged nearly 70% over the past two decades to over 33,500, particularly in business, healthcare, and technology, leading to intense competition among degree holders and diminishing their ability to differentiate candidates in the job market.
- Shifting Recruitment Strategies: A survey from Drexel University indicates that more employers plan to avoid hiring MBA graduates this year, reflecting a broader shift towards skills-first recruitment strategies, with AI enabling companies to assess candidates based on demonstrated competencies rather than solely on academic qualifications.
See More
Phoenix Education Partners Declares $0.21 Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. (PXED) declares a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and ongoing shareholder returns.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 2.71% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing more investor interest towards its stock.
- Financial Outlook: Phoenix Education reiterates its revenue outlook for Q2 2026 at $1.025 billion to $1.035 billion, supported by strong Q1 enrollment and AI-driven initiatives, showcasing the company's growth potential in the education sector.
- Non-GAAP EPS: The company reports a non-GAAP EPS of $0.58 with revenue of $222.4 million, indicating strong performance in profitability and revenue growth, further boosting investor confidence.
See More
Phoenix Education Partners Reports Strong Q2 Earnings
- Non-GAAP EPS: Phoenix Education reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.58 for Q2 2026, up from $0.56 in Q2 2025, indicating stable profitability improvements that bolster investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $222.4 million in Q2, slightly up from $222.3 million in the same period last year, demonstrating sustained competitiveness in the education market despite a complex overall environment.
- Adjusted EBITDA Performance: Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2026 was $34.8 million, an increase from $32.3 million in Q2 2025, reflecting improvements in cost control and operational efficiency that will support future profitability.
- GAAP EPS: While GAAP EPS was $0.40, missing expectations by $0.73, revenue of $262 million exceeded forecasts by $4.46 million, showcasing strong revenue generation capabilities that may set the stage for future stock price recovery.
See More
PHOENIX EDUCATION PARTNERS INC ANNOUNCES SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAM OF UP TO $50 MILLION
Program Overview: Phoenix Education Partners has adopted a share repurchase program aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
Financial Commitment: The program allows for repurchases of up to $50 million in shares.
See More
PHOENIX EDUCATION PARTNERS INC REPORTS $10.8 MILLION NET INCOME AND $0.28 DILUTED EPS FOR Q2 FY2026
- Financial Performance: Phoenix Education Partners reported a net income of $10.8 million for Q2 FY2026.
- Earnings Per Share: The diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was $0.28.
See More
PHOENIX EDUCATION PARTNERS INC REPORTS $222.5 MILLION IN REVENUE FOR Q2 FY2026
Company Overview: Phoenix Education Partners reported a revenue of $222.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026.
Financial Performance: The revenue figure indicates a significant financial performance for the company during this period.
See More
Graduate Degree Job Market Shifts Amidst AI Influence
- Job Market Pressure: Analysis by the Burning Glass Institute reveals that the unemployment rate for workers under 35 with master's degrees is nearing a two-decade high, indicating a shift in the perception of graduate degrees as a reliable job market hedge, particularly as AI reshapes hiring practices.
- Skills-First Trend: Employers increasingly prioritize specific technical skills and work experience over generalized graduate credentials, which could impact investment in higher education and workforce training companies, with those focused on vocational training and certification programs likely to benefit.
- Degree Saturation: The number of master's programs in the U.S. has surged nearly 70% over the past two decades to over 33,500, particularly in business, healthcare, and technology, leading to intense competition among degree holders and diminishing their ability to differentiate candidates in the job market.
- Shifting Recruitment Strategies: A survey from Drexel University indicates that more employers plan to avoid hiring MBA graduates this year, reflecting a broader shift towards skills-first recruitment strategies, with AI enabling companies to assess candidates based on demonstrated competencies rather than solely on academic qualifications.
See More
Phoenix Education Partners Declares $0.21 Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. (PXED) declares a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and ongoing shareholder returns.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 2.71% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing more investor interest towards its stock.
- Financial Outlook: Phoenix Education reiterates its revenue outlook for Q2 2026 at $1.025 billion to $1.035 billion, supported by strong Q1 enrollment and AI-driven initiatives, showcasing the company's growth potential in the education sector.
- Non-GAAP EPS: The company reports a non-GAAP EPS of $0.58 with revenue of $222.4 million, indicating strong performance in profitability and revenue growth, further boosting investor confidence.
See More
Phoenix Education Partners Reports Strong Q2 Earnings
- Non-GAAP EPS: Phoenix Education reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.58 for Q2 2026, up from $0.56 in Q2 2025, indicating stable profitability improvements that bolster investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $222.4 million in Q2, slightly up from $222.3 million in the same period last year, demonstrating sustained competitiveness in the education market despite a complex overall environment.
- Adjusted EBITDA Performance: Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2026 was $34.8 million, an increase from $32.3 million in Q2 2025, reflecting improvements in cost control and operational efficiency that will support future profitability.
- GAAP EPS: While GAAP EPS was $0.40, missing expectations by $0.73, revenue of $262 million exceeded forecasts by $4.46 million, showcasing strong revenue generation capabilities that may set the stage for future stock price recovery.
See More
PHOENIX EDUCATION PARTNERS INC ANNOUNCES SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAM OF UP TO $50 MILLION
Program Overview: Phoenix Education Partners has adopted a share repurchase program aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
Financial Commitment: The program allows for repurchases of up to $50 million in shares.
See More
PHOENIX EDUCATION PARTNERS INC REPORTS $10.8 MILLION NET INCOME AND $0.28 DILUTED EPS FOR Q2 FY2026
- Financial Performance: Phoenix Education Partners reported a net income of $10.8 million for Q2 FY2026.
- Earnings Per Share: The diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was $0.28.
See More
PHOENIX EDUCATION PARTNERS INC REPORTS $222.5 MILLION IN REVENUE FOR Q2 FY2026
Company Overview: Phoenix Education Partners reported a revenue of $222.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026.
Financial Performance: The revenue figure indicates a significant financial performance for the company during this period.
See More
