The Truth About IFC Fraternity Recruitment in 2025 (Straight from more than 4,200 PNMs)
More than 4,200 fraternity potential new members (PNMs) shared their voices this year through our Phired Up Companion App survey. From January through September, they told us how they first heard about recruitment, why they are motivated to join, and what gives them pause.
The truth is, their answers give us a clear picture of what’s working and what still needs attention.
And when thousands of students are saying the same things, it’s worth listening to.
How Potential Members Learn About Recruitment
At the end of the day, recruitment is still about relationships.
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38% learned from a friend who is already a member
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34% heard from a friend who is also exploring recruitment
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31% were influenced by a family member or family friend
Campus events and chapter social media still matter, but in smaller ways.
Paid or traditional marketing channels like TikTok ads and flyers? They barely register.
And that tell us that the front door to fraternity life isn’t a flyer or a search engine.
It’s a friend,
Or a family member
Or a peer who simply says, “Come with me.”
Why Potential Members Are Motivated to Join
The pull of fraternity life is strong, and the top reasons haven’t changed.
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60% say friends
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57% say fun
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47% say belonging
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43% say professional or alumni networking
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28% say leadership opportunities
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27% say academic support
What’s clear from this year’s data is simple.
Fun has climbed higher than belonging.
But relationships are still the primary motivator.
And together, friends, fun, and belonging form the trio that dominates.
Networking and leadership remain steady motivators, reminding us that students are searching for both connection and growth.
Why Potential Members Hesitate
If you’ve been paying attention, you won’t be surprised by the top three hesitations.
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27% worry about time commitments
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23% worry about the cost of membership
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22% are concerned about academic impact
Cultural concerns matter too. Hazing, negative stigma, and stereotypes are still in the mix. About one in five PNMs flagged them as barriers.
However, there is one key point to note – concerns don’t erase motivations.
Students are holding both at once.
They’re excited about friendships and belonging while still worrying about time, money, and culture. That tension is real, and it’s something our communities need to acknowledge.
The Story Behind the Numbers
When you look at motivations alongside hesitations, the picture gets even more clear.
Cost is a barrier, but even those worried about dues still say friends, fun, and belonging are their top motivators.
The same holds true for PNMs worried about hazing or stereotypes. They still crave connection.
And of course, there’s another layer to the story. PNMs who highlight social media as a source for registering are the most friendship-driven, while those who highlighted websites and email lean more toward networking and leadership.
And we can use this knowledge to inform what we do, how we market and how we connect with PNMs – knowing that where PNMs come from shapes how they see fraternity life, but the desire for friendship and belonging is constant.
Why This Matters
This year’s data doesn’t rewrite the story of fraternity recruitment.
It reinforces it.
Relationships drive interest.
Social connection fuels motivation.
Time, cost, and academics create barriers that we can’t ignore.
And that consistency is good news.
It means we know where to focus.
We know how to amplify what works.
And we know the barriers we have to tackle head-on.
These voices remind us that recruitment is not about guessing.
It’s about listening.
So, the question is:
How will we take what PNMs are telling us and use it to create a fraternity experience that feels honest, welcoming, and worth joining?
If you’re ready to talk about what this data means for your council or campus, our team is here to help you take the next step!!
Written by Colleen Blevins, Senior Director of Digital Products & Marketing