No longer just IITs and IIMs: Tier-3 graduates are now cracking the gates of Apple and NVIDIA

IITs and IIMs are considered sobriquets of golden job opportunities. Not wrong though. But a recent survey by Blind, an anonymous community app for verified professionals, is turning that assumption on its head.

The obsession and fascination with Tier 1 and 2 colleges is not unfounded. However, if a student ended up in a Tier 3 college, it was considered to be the end of their bright future. But it’s time that we change this perception. Data collected in the survey from 1,602 Indian professionals between September 17 and 24, 2025, reveals that more than one-third of employees at leading tech firms such as Zoho, Apple, NVIDIA, SAP, and PayPal come from lesser-known Tier 3 colleges.

Yes, you read that right.These graduates are upending long-held notions of success, proving that raw talent and demonstrable skills can outweigh the allure of an elite pedigree. The new job world is awakening to a simple yet pivotal truth: Brilliance does not ask for a famous name; it emerges wherever potential meets perseverance.

The tier divide and career perceptions

Blind’s survey also uncovers stark contrasts in perception among alumni of different tiers.

Nearly 60% of Tier 3 graduates reported that their college played little to no role in shaping their careers. In contrast, Tier 1 and Tier 2 alumni overwhelmingly credited campus recruitment as a pivotal factor in their early success. Overseas graduates also reported diminishing returns from institutional branding, indicating that globally, skills increasingly outweigh pedigrees.Blind’s survey reveals stark contrasts in perception among alumni of different tiers.

The trend is reflected in how professionals perceive career advancement. For employees at companies like Zoho, Apple, NVIDIA, SAP, and PayPal, a college background often has negligible influence. At traditional and financial firms, such as Goldman Sachs, Visa, Atlassian, Oracle, and Google, Tier 3 graduates still represent a smaller share, about 18%, yet the presence of these professionals demonstrates that opportunity is widening.

Financial returns: Early impact, limited long-term benefit

Salary outcomes reveal a similar story. Only 15% of Tier 3 alumni felt their education provided a lasting financial advantage, with most reporting that it helped only during the early stages of their careers. More than half of overseas graduates (53%) indicated their college had little or no effect on long-term earnings. The survey suggests that while elite institutions may provide an initial boost, sustained career growth increasingly depends on demonstrated skills and professional adaptability rather than degree prestige.The survey suggests that while elite institutions provide an initial boost, sustained career growth largely depends on demonstrated skills and professional adaptability rather than degree prestige.

Skills-based hiring: The global shift

These findings align with broader global trends. A Forbes analysis notes that 90% of companies achieve better hiring outcomes when prioritizing skills over degrees, describing the rise of skills-based hiring as a “fundamental transformation.”

Professionals interviewed on Blind emphasized that while candidates from IITs and NITs often have higher initial success rates in interviews, Tier 3 graduates who persevere and demonstrate relevant expertise are increasingly competitive.

The road ahead for Indian professionals

For Indian graduates, especially those from Tier 3 colleges, the message is clear: A prestigious degree is no longer the sole ticket to global tech careers. Talent, perseverance, and demonstrable skills can outweigh institutional reputation.

The playing field, while still uneven, is gradually leveling, offering opportunities to those willing to showcase capability rather than pedigree.As the tech industry continues to prize competence over college branding, Tier 3 graduates are proving that career potential is determined not by the name of their college but by the value they can deliver. In a globalized and skills-driven economy, this shift may well redefine the very meaning of professional excellence.