Highlights
More Americans Say College Just isn’t Worth it, Survey Finds
Source: https://www.10tv.com/
A recent Gallup and Lumina Foundation poll reveals growing skepticism among Americans regarding the value and cost of higher education. Only 36% of adults express significant confidence in the U.S. higher education system, a decline from 57% in 2015, indicating widespread belief that the system is moving in the wrong direction.
Key Highlight:
- Recent trends show declining college enrollments amid concerns over student debt, high tuition costs, and debates over curriculum content, including discussions on race. There is also a growing debate on the necessity of a bachelor’s degree for career success, with just a quarter of Americans believing it’s essential for securing well-paying jobs, according to Pew Research Center. Moreover, Pew’s findings indicate that employment prospects and earnings have improved for young men without college degrees, marking a reversal of economic setbacks experienced since the 1970s, with slight earnings increases observed among high school graduates since 2014.
- In 2023, the median annual income for men aged 25 to 34 without a college degree was $45,000, marking a 15% inflation-adjusted increase from $39,300 in 2014, as reported by Pew’s analysis of Census data. Meanwhile, confidence in the value of higher education has declined broadly across demographics, including gender, age, and political affiliation. Republicans, in particular, have seen a significant drop of 36 percentage points in high confidence in higher education over the past decade, a sharper decline compared to Democrats or independents.
- Many Americans, like Randy Hill, express skepticism about the value of college due to high costs and perceived job readiness issues. Hill, a Connecticut Republican and car service driver, believes colleges are expensive and don’t adequately prepare graduates for jobs. He contrasts this with his nephew’s decision to pursue a welding apprenticeship instead of college, citing concerns about student debt and job prospects. Meanwhile, the Gallup-Lumina survey reveals that while overall strong confidence in higher education remains at 36%, there is a notable shift with more people expressing little to no confidence (32%) compared to previous years.
- Michael Itzkowitz, founder of HEA Group, emphasizes that the primary barrier preventing students from pursuing a college degree is affordability. He points out that many California state colleges offer better return on investment for low- and middle-income students compared to nonprofit private universities, largely due to their lower tuition costs.
- Experts warn that a decrease in college graduates could exacerbate labor shortages in vital fields such as healthcare and information technology. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce reports that those without bachelor’s degrees typically earn 75% less over their lifetimes and are more vulnerable to job losses during economic downturns. Lumina’s Courtney Brown notes stagnant confidence in higher education, with increasing numbers expressing low or no confidence. Reasons cited include high costs and concerns that students aren’t adequately prepared for success. Political views also influence perceptions, with 41% of skeptics attributing their lack of confidence to perceived political biases and liberal leanings in colleges.
- According to Gallup, more Americans have confidence in two-year institutions than in four-year colleges. Forty-nine percent express significant confidence in two-year programs, compared to 33% for four-year colleges. Kristen Freeman, a sociology major at Diablo Valley Community College in California, chose a two-year program for its cost-effectiveness, planning to transfer to San Jose State University later. While Freeman acknowledges concerns about college’s role in preparing students and potential indoctrination, she believes higher education fosters critical thinking and empowers students to effect systemic change from within.
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