What makes a professor effective has long been debated, and in 2025, the answers may be different than what you expect. To find out which teaching traits matter most today, a questionnaire was conducted on behalf of Aurora University. It included responses from 605 Americans ages 18 to 25 who were current college students or recent graduates, along with 258 professors from across the country.
This questionnaire aimed to better understand how professors are viewed and how they can support students in a time of technological change. The results show where students and faculty agree and where new challenges, like artificial intelligence, are creating pressure in the classroom.
Key Takeaways
- 37% of students would rather have a professor with real-world experience than one with a PhD and limited experience.
- 60% of students feel their faculty has kept up with technological advancements.
- 60% of students feel professors are preparing students for real-world careers.
- 76% of professors say students are misusing AI, and 75% have updated their syllabuses in response.
What Students Value Most in Their Professors
Students today want more than traditional lectures. They are looking for professors who bring energy, passion, and practical experience into the classroom.
According to students, the most important qualities in a professor are an engaging teaching style, passion for the subject, and clear lectures. More than half (57%) also said a professor’s social media presence made them feel more approachable, showing that accessibility and relatability matter to students in the digital age.
Perhaps most striking, 37% said they would prefer a professor with real-world experience over one with a PhD and limited experience. This shows how some students value practical knowledge and applied learning over academic credentials alone.
What Students Expect From Their Education
Students want their education to do more than deliver knowledge. They expect professors to connect learning to practical skills, critical thinking, and future careers.
When asked about the priorities professors should emphasize, 68% of students said applying knowledge to real-world situations was most important. Another 62% pointed to critical thinking and information literacy, and 60% cited career preparation. These responses show a desire for instruction that equips graduates for life after college.
A majority of students (60%) reported feeling like their professors are preparing them for their future careers. The same share (60%) also said their professors have kept up with technological advancements, giving them confidence that class material has stayed relevant. And while 27% of students said they prefer professors who encourage AI use, only 9% felt that AI literacy should be a top priority in the classroom.
Balancing AI, Tech Advances, and Student Demands: Professors Share Their Biggest Challenges
Professors agreed with students on the top three most essential qualities in a college educator. They also identified challenges in their recent teaching experiences.
According to the questionnaire findings, the top qualities professors valued were similar to students’ priorities. Half said an engaging teaching style was most important, followed by 35% citing passion for the subject, and 34% pointing to clear, organized lectures.
However, professors also described new obstacles in education. Forty-nine percent said overreliance on technology and AI was a challenge, while another 49% noted declining student engagement. Shorter attention spans were also a concern, with 45% of faculty reporting this as an issue.
The rise of artificial intelligence has been particularly disruptive. Seventy-six percent of professors said students are misusing AI, and 75% have already updated their syllabi to address this issue. These responses highlight how quickly AI is reshaping teaching methods and policies.
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Students and professors share common ground on the traits that matter most: engaging teaching, passion for the subject, and clear communication. Students also emphasized the importance of practical experience and technology skills, while professors noted challenges such as AI misuse and declining engagement.
For students, the takeaway is to seek out professors who connect lessons to real-world applications and adapt to new tools. For faculty, the key is balancing strong teaching methods with flexibility, ensuring education remains relevant and effective in a fast-changing world.
Methodology
The findings presented in this report are based on a questionnaire conducted on behalf of Aurora University to better understand how students and professors view effective teaching in 2025. The questionnaire included responses from 605 Americans ages 18 to 25 who were either current college students or had graduated within the past three years. To balance these perspectives, 258 professors across various institutions and disciplines were also questioned. Together, these groups offered insight into both sides of the classroom experience. AU students, professors, and graduates were not a part of this study.
While the questionnaire results provide a valuable look at current attitudes, there are some limitations to consider. The responses reflect self-reported opinions, which can be influenced by personal experience, interpretation of the questions, or bias. This nonscientific, exploratory study is also not intended to represent all college students, graduates, and teachers.
About Aurora University
Aurora University offers a wide range of flexible, career-focused online programs designed for working adults and lifelong learners. Options include bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in fields such as business, education, social work, healthcare, and public administration. With practitioner-based faculty and extensive student support services, AU provides an accessible and affordable path to advancing careers.
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