This study explored the academic and business leaders' perceptions of 21st century skills and to what degree do these perceptions align. The results from this study show that academic and business leaders share similar perceptions of 21st century skills and the majority of the shared skills are aligned. Through an initial survey and interviews, academic and business leaders were asked to discuss the skills they described as 21st century skills and how they believed undergraduate students could obtain these skills. Using qualitative comparison analysis, the frequency of the skills discussed within the interviews and surveys were used to determine the perception. Along with quotes from academic and business leaders' interviews, a chi square analysis was completed to determine to what degree their perceptions aligned. This study provides a counter argument to preceding literature since the results show that academic and business leaders' perceptions of 21st century skills were aligned. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]