China's young generation chooses practicality over fame

Instead, they attend more practically oriented schools or training in emerging professions.

In the 2025 gaokao, many Chinese students who scored high enough to enroll in prestigious universities like Tsinghua and Peking did the opposite, enrolling in less prestigious universities or training in emerging professions.

The trend, which comes amid soaring unemployment, reflects the reality that success is no longer measured by a school’s reputation but by its ability to adapt to rapidly changing societal needs.

For example, the top scorer in Beijing turned down an offer from Peking University to study artificial intelligence at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. The city is home to many tech companies, including DeepSeek, an AI startup founded by Zhejiang alumni. The school recently launched special courses in artificial intelligence to meet the demand for human resources in a field that China is prioritizing.

Another top student from Chongqing has chosen to study semiconductors at Westlake University, an emerging private school with a strong research focus. Both choices are in areas that China considers to be of national strategic importance, demonstrating the young generation’s acumen in grasping new career trends.

According to experts, the change of choice reflects a more realistic mentality of both students and parents. They no longer consider reputation as the sole deciding factor, but instead focus on job opportunities and long-term stability.

Another reason is that starting salaries for graduates from top universities have dropped sharply. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Tsinghua University students could expect a salary of 15,000 to 20,000 yuan per month. Now, that figure is only around 8,000 to 10,000 yuan.

Pressure from the job market is making students weigh the balance between academic reputation and practical value more carefully. As the economy weakens and the number of graduates increases, choosing the right major becomes a key factor in securing a future career.

“Universities are not vocational training centers. The goal of higher education should be to develop learners’ thinking ability, comprehensive qualities and creativity. Vocational education institutions should focus on training specific skills for the labor market, while comprehensive universities should maintain their role in fostering basic knowledge,” said Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute.

“Many students now choose schools that offer stable jobs rather than prestigious universities with few practical opportunities. This reflects the ‘new’ reality of the Chinese labor market, which is far from the idea of stability being the top priority,” Xiong Bingqi said.

According to CNA

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