"Americans' views on higher education have reversed sharply in less than a generation, as the enormous cost and uncertainty about finding work have turned college into a significant life risk. According to a recent poll from NBC News, 63% of registered voters agreed that a four-year degree is "not worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off." That's up from 47% in 2017 and 40% in 2013."
"Meanwhile, just 33% agreed with the idea that a degree is "worth the cost because people have a better chance to get a good job and earn more money over their lifetime." That's down from 49% in 2017 and 53% in 2013. Even Americans who have earned college degrees flipped, with only 46% now saying that obtaining one is worth the cost versus 63% in 2013."
Public opinion toward four-year college degrees has shifted sharply negative as high costs, large student debt burdens, and doubts about job-relevant skills reduce perceived value. A majority of registered voters now say degrees are not worth the cost, with that share rising substantially since 2013 while the share saying degrees are worth the cost has fallen. Even people who hold degrees have become more skeptical. Opposition to four-year degrees has increased across political parties, most notably among Republicans. Wage and unemployment data still favor graduates overall, but unemployment among recent graduates has risen since 2022 amid advances in AI.
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