Perceptions of Mandatory AI in College

AI is now part of everyday college life. Students are using tools like ChatGPT to save time, improve their grades, and get ahead on schoolwork and job prep.

But while AI use is high, many courses haven't changed. Professors are spending hours trying to spot AI in assignments instead of updating how they teach or grade. To understand how students and professors really feel about AI in the classroom, Nexford surveyed 301 students and 230 professors across the U.S.

Key Takeaways

• None (0%) of college students said AI hurt their grades: Half reported improved grades, while the other 50% said their grades stayed the same.

• Over one-third of students (36%) said their GPA would drop if AI tools were banned.

• Nearly two-thirds of students save up to 3 hours a week by using AI.

• 55% of students believe their professors' current assessments don't accurately measure their abilities in the AI era.

• 87% of college professors spend up to 6 hours per week trying to detect AI use in student assignments.

• 57% of professors said they suspect AI-generated work at least once a week, with 16% saying it happens on almost every assignment.

AI Is the New Study Partner for Nearly Every College Student

For many students, AI tools are now part of the daily study routine. Whether it's writing, reviewing, or prepping for exams, AI is helping learners get more done in less time.

Half of students said AI helped improve their grades, while the rest said their grades stayed the same. Not a single student said AI use made their performance worse. Over 1 in 3 (36%) said their GPA would likely drop if they lost access to AI.

Almost two-thirds of students reported saving up to 3 hours each week with the help of AI. The most common uses were brainstorming ideas (79%), studying or preparing for exams (74%), summarizing readings (68%), and rewriting or polishing writing (66%). Some students (30%) said they worry about getting caught using AI in their coursework.

AI isn't just helping with schoolwork. Over half of students (55%) also used it for job applications or career prep, and 25% applied it to coding or technical work.

Students Say College Assessments Haven't Kept Up With AI

Even though AI is a big part of how students learn today, many feel their professors haven't updated the way they grade or test. This gap could make it harder for students to stay engaged or build the real-world skills they need.

Only 45% of students said their professors' current assessments reflect their true abilities in the age of AI. The other 55% said they don't.

More than half of students (52%) said they prefer practical, hands-on assignments, especially ones that allow for responsible AI use instead of punishing it.

Most Professors Suspect AI Use, but Not All Are Adapting

Many professors are focused on spotting AI in student work, and not all have changed how they assess learning.

Nearly 9 in 10 professors said they spend up to 6 hours each week trying to detect AI use in assignments. More than half (57%) suspected students were using AI at least once a week, with 16% saying it shows up in almost every assignment. Despite this, about 1 in 4 professors admitted they haven't changed how or what they assess since AI became mainstream.

The most common reason was believing changes weren't necessary (44%). Others said they weren't sure how to design updated assessments (28%), didn't have the time or resources to make changes (28%), or were limited by school rules (18%).

Professors Want AI Literacy but Still Restrict Coursework Use

While many professors and students agree that AI has a place in higher education, they don't always align on how it should be used in assignments or how essential it is for future success.

Most professors (62%) and about half of students (51%) said AI literacy courses should be required in every degree program. But when it came to using AI in coursework, opinions split.

Fifty-seven percent of professors said AI use should be restricted, and only 26% said it should be encouraged. On the student side, nearly half (48%) said AI should be encouraged, while 43% supported some level of restriction. Just 3% of students said it should be banned entirely, compared to 9% of professors.

Students were also more likely to see AI as valuable to their future. Forty-nine percent said using AI in school improves workforce readiness, compared to 32% of professors. And 36% said AI is essential for student success, while only 25% of professors agreed.

The Great AI Divide in Higher Ed

Students are using AI every day to study faster, get better results, and prepare for their future careers. But many professors are still trying to catch up, and assessments often don't reflect how students actually learn today.

While there's clear support for AI skills in higher education, there's still a gap between what students need and what they're being measured on. As AI continues to reshape learning, closing that gap will be key to keeping education relevant and setting students up for success in the real world.

Methodology

This survey was conducted to explore how college students and professors are using, regulating, and thinking about artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. We surveyed 301 college students and 230 college professors from September through October 2025. 

About Nexford University

Nexford University is a next-generation online university that prepares learners around the world for the global workplace. Its career-focused degree programs, including its MBA, BBA, and MS in Digital Transformation, offer affordable, flexible, and relevant education. Learn more at Nexford.edu.

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