The study looks at how students are engaging with generative AI through institutional resources. The study details use of courses, websites, online tutorials and other means to learn about how to use generative artificial intelligence. The survey highlights the varying levels of usage and the reliance on formal and informal learning methods among college students. Results are based on a 2025 representative survey of 1022 students at 4-year colleges and research universities in the USA.
Just a few of this 155-page report's many findings are that:
- 30.14% of students have used academic resources provided by their institution to learn about generative AI.
- Students at higher-cost institutions ($20,000+) are more likely (36.03%) to use academic resources compared to those at lower-cost institutions (27.34%). Private school students (35.90%) are significantly more likely to use resources compared to public school students (28.43%).
- International students were more avid users than domestic students of college instructional resources about generative AI.
- Student complaints about being unable to find information about how to use AI were quite common.
- Students face challenges such as lack of awareness, institutional discouragement, and unclear policies on AI use. They express a need for more structured education, clear guidelines, and greater access to AI tools.
The survey suggests that while institutional resources for learning about generative AI exist, most students rely on informal methods such as peers, AI tools, and online content. There is a clear need to expand structured AI education to better support student learning.
Table of Contents
- Characteristics of the sample
- Use of College Instruction on Generative Artificial Intelligence
- Usage Patterns by Demographics
- AI Instruction Use Broken Out by College Characteristics
- AI Instruction Use Broken Out by Student Characteristics
- Sources of Learning About Generative AI
- Most Common Resources Used (Table 2)
- Resource Usage by College and Student Characteristics
- Key Takeaways
- Common Challenges in the Use of AI Instruction Services and Frequency of Mentions
- What Additional Resources or Support Would You Like Your Institution to Provide for Learning About Generative AI?
Table 1.2 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 1.3 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 1.4 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by public or private college
Table 1.5 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by age of respondent
Table 1.6 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 1.7 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 1.8 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by year of class standing
Table 1.9 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 1.10 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 1.11 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by political views
Table 1.12 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by college grades
Table 1.13 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by academic major
Table 1.14 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 1.15 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by status of current residency
Table 1.16 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by current employment situation
Table 1.17 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 1.18 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 1.19 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 1.20 Have you used any academic resources provided by your institution to learn about generative AI? Broken out by religion
Table 2 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? (Select all that apply)
Table 2.1.1 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses.
Table 2.1.2 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 2.1.3 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 2.1.4 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.1.5 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by age of respondent
Table 2.1.6 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 2.1.7 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 2.1.8 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by year of class standing
Table 2.1.9 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 2.1.10 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.1.11 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by political views
Table 2.1.12 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by college grades
Table 2.1.13 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by academic major
Table 2.1.14 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 2.1.15 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by status of current residency
Table 2.1.16 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by current employment situation
Table 2.1.17 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.1.18 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 2.1.19 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.1.20 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Online courses. Broken out by religion
Table 2.2.1 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars.
Table 2.2.2 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 2.2.3 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 2.2.4 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.2.5 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by age of respondent
Table 2.2.6 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 2.2.7 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 2.2.8 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by year of class standing
Table 2.2.9 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 2.2.10 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.2.11 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by political views
Table 2.2.12 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by college grades
Table 2.2.13 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by academic major
Table 2.2.14 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 2.2.15 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by status of current residency
Table 2.2.16 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by current employment situation
Table 2.2.17 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.2.18 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 2.2.19 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.2.20 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Workshops/seminars. Broken out by religion
Table 2.3.1 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources.
Table 2.3.2 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 2.3.3 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 2.3.4 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.3.5 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by age of respondent
Table 2.3.6 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 2.3.7 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 2.3.8 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by year of class standing
Table 2.3.9 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 2.3.10 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.3.11 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by political views
Table 2.3.12 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by college grades
Table 2.3.13 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by academic major
Table 2.3.14 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 2.3.15 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by status of current residency
Table 2.3.16 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by current employment situation
Table 2.3.17 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.3.18 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 2.3.19 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.3.20 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Library resources. Broken out by religion
Table 2.4.1 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance.
Table 2.4.2 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 2.4.3 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 2.4.4 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.4.5 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by age of respondent
Table 2.4.6 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 2.4.7 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 2.4.8 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by year of class standing
Table 2.4.9 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 2.4.10 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.4.11 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by political views
Table 2.4.12 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by college grades
Table 2.4.13 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by academic major
Table 2.4.14 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 2.4.15 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by status of current residency
Table 2.4.16 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by current employment situation
Table 2.4.17 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.4.18 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 2.4.19 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.4.20 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Faculty guidance. Broken out by religion
Table 2.5.1 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers.
Table 2.5.2 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 2.5.3 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 2.5.4 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.5.5 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by age of respondent
Table 2.5.6 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 2.5.7 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 2.5.8 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by year of class standing
Table 2.5.9 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 2.5.10 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.5.11 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by political views
Table 2.5.12 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by college grades
Table 2.5.13 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by academic major
Table 2.5.14 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 2.5.15 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by status of current residency
Table 2.5.16 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by current employment situation
Table 2.5.17 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.5.18 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 2.5.19 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.5.20 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? Peers. Broken out by religion
Table 2.6.1 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself.
Table 2.6.2 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 2.6.3 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 2.6.4 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.6.5 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by age of respondent
Table 2.6.6 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 2.6.7 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 2.6.8 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by year of class standing
Table 2.6.9 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 2.6.10 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.6.11 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by political views
Table 2.6.12 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by college grades
Table 2.6.13 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by academic major
Table 2.6.14 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 2.6.15 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by status of current residency
Table 2.6.16 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by current employment situation
Table 2.6.17 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.6.18 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 2.6.19 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.6.20 Which of the following resources have you used to learn about generative AI? AI itself. Broken out by religion
Table 3.1 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI?
Table 3.2 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 3.3 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 3.4 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by public or private college
Table 3.5 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by age of respondent
Table 3.6 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 3.7 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 3.8 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by year of class standing
Table 3.9 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 3.10 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 3.11 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by political views
Table 3.12 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by college grades
Table 3.13 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by academic major
Table 3.14 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 3.15 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by status of current residency
Table 3.16 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by current employment situation
Table 3.17 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 3.18 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 3.19 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 3.20 How satisfied are you with the availability of academic resources and guidance at your college on how to use generative AI? Broken out by religion
Table 4.1 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework?
Table 4.2 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 4.3 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 4.4 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by public or private college
Table 4.5 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by age of respondent
Table 4.6 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 4.7 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 4.8 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by year of class standing
Table 4.9 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 4.10 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 4.11 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by political views
Table 4.12 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by college grades
Table 4.13 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by academic major
Table 4.14 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 4.15 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by status of current residency
Table 4.16 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by current employment situation
Table 4.17 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 4.18 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 4.19 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 4.20 How would you rate your personal skills in using generative AI in your coursework? Broken out by religion
What challenges have you faced in finding, accessing and using academic resources about generative AI?
Table 5.1 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI?
Table 5.2 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by tuition of college attended
Table 5.3 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by enrollment of college attended
Table 5.4 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by public or private college
Table 5.5 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by age of respondent
Table 5.6 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by urban, suburban or rural upbringing
Table 5.7 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by region of upbringing
Table 5.8 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by year of class standing
Table 5.9 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by annual family of origin income level
Table 5.10 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 5.11 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by political views
Table 5.12 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by college grades
Table 5.13 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by academic major
Table 5.14 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by gender of respondent
Table 5.15 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by status of current residency
Table 5.16 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by current employment situation
Table 5.17 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 5.18 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by SAT or ACT score
Table 5.19 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 5.20 How likely are you to pursue further education or training in generative AI? Broken out by religion
What additional resources or support would you like your institution to provide for learning about generative AI?
Methodology
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