Survey: For HR decision-makers, skills matter more than the type of university
For employers, the most important factors in the recruitment process are professional expertise, practical experience, and personal skills—rather than whether a degree was obtained from a private or public university. This is shown by a representative survey conducted together with the opinion research institute Civey on behalf of GUS Germany GmbH (GGG), which also includes Gisma University of Applied Sciences among 500 HR decision-makers in Germany. 60.9 percent of respondents do not differentiate between types of universities when hiring new staff.
Employers prioritise skills over institutions
For employers, the reputation of a university (4.4 percent) or its type (6.1 percent) is the least decisive factor when hiring graduates. Instead, they focus on competencies such as professional qualifications (61 percent), practical experience (54.5 percent), social skills (52.8 percent), and cultural fit (37.6 percent). Only 16.2 percent of respondents also consider applicants’ final grades.
There are also generational differences: Generation Z (18–29 years) places significantly more emphasis on the reputation and type of university (89.9 percent). Older generations prioritize competencies more strongly: 72.5 percent of Generation X respondents (40–49 years) place particular importance on professional qualifications, while for 83.6 percent of Baby Boomers (65+), social skills are key.
Private or public: university type usually plays no role in hiring
When asked whether a degree from a private university is more of an advantage or disadvantage, more than 60 percent of respondents said it makes no difference. Only 13.6 percent clearly oppose hiring graduates from private universities.
Most respondents also see no major differences in the qualifications of graduates from private versus public universities. Where differences are perceived, private universities are more often associated with practical relevance (22.4 percent) and digital skills (23.2 percent), while public universities are more commonly linked to social skills (15.2 percent).
“The results clearly show that evaluation criteria in recruiting are shifting: today, employers primarily value professional qualifications, practical experience, and social skills, while formal factors such as the type of university or the institution’s reputation are becoming less important,” says Sagi Hartov, CEO of GUS Germany GmbH. “The fact that more than 60 percent of respondents make no distinction between private and public degrees underscores this trend. For applicants, this means more opportunities beyond traditional educational paths—at the same time, however, it becomes more important to clearly demonstrate one’s skills and practical experience.”
About the study
The renowned opinion research institute Civey conducted an online survey on behalf of Gus Germany GmbH between February 4 and 23, 2026, interviewing around 500 people in Germany who are responsible for hiring decisions. All data was collected via Civey’s proprietary panel with verified participants. The results are representative of the target population, taking into account a statistical margin of error of 10.3 percentage points. Further information on the methodology is available here.