Abstract: This study reflects one of the aspects of social stratification; the relationship between education and economic remuneration is traced. The purpose of the study is to reveal the correlation of skills and competencies acquired during education and the graduates' employment. Over time, universities have begun to pay more attention to social and cognitive skills that are considered important for the modern labor market: critical thinking, teamwork, communication, problem solving without micromanagement. The data show the current state of affairs in higher education and in the labor market, where universities, to a greater extent, focus on competencies related to research and scientific activities, without relying on the opinions of employers. On the other hand, employers want to see graduates with a set of professional competencies that will allow them to perform their job duties without a long period of internal training. The work uses general scientific approaches to the study of the transformation of higher education, in particular, the method of institutional analysis was applied. The analyzed data allow us to take a look at the tasks that higher education faces at this stage. It was found that the link between diplomas and real skills, as well as economic rewards, is optional. Over time, universities have begun to pay more attention to social and cognitive skills that are considered important for the modern labor market: critical thinking, teamwork, communication, problem solving without micromanagement. At the same time, the problem of the slow response of higher education to the changing reality remains, in this regard, recommendations are given on monitoring feedback from graduates and employers (using quantitative and qualitative methods), so that universities will be able to adapt the courses taught more effectively. Especially important is the interaction of universities with public and private organizations that will immerse students in real work processes corresponding to the specialty.