Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) announced it is on track to hire 1,500 college graduates in the United States by the end of 2026, according to a company statement released July 15. The hires span Cognizant's core technology services business, its Belcan engineering subsidiary, and a new program called Frontier Engineers.

The company said the 1,500 hires draw from both technical and non-technical academic backgrounds. Globally, Cognizant said it has hired approximately 27,000 campus graduates since 2025.

The Frontier Engineers program targets top technical graduates with accelerated career tracks tied to the company's AI-related client engagements. Cognizant also operates registered apprenticeships through a national sponsorship with the U.S. Department of Labor, offering earn-while-you-learn pathways for early-career associates.

The company said it actively recruits from more than 40 U.S. universities, with noted partnerships at the University of Georgia, Arizona State University, and the University of Kentucky. Its Fusion internship program was named to Vault's 2026 Best Internships list.

"Hiring 1,500 college graduates in the United States this year is both a workforce investment and a statement of confidence in American talent," said Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant.

Cognizant said more than 16,000 current associates previously worked elsewhere before returning to the company.