Poll: In a dramatic shift, Americans no longer see four-year college degrees as worth the cost

A Shift in American Attitudes: Four-Year College Degrees No Longer Seen as Worth the Cost

The notion that a four-year college degree holds value has taken a drastic hit among Americans. A recent NBC News poll reveals that nearly two-thirds of registered voters believe that a four-year college degree is no longer worth the cost, marking a dramatic decline over the past decade.

In 2013, half of respondents believed that a college degree was worth it, while only one-third now agree with this sentiment. Conversely, more than six in ten people believe that the value of a degree is outweighed by the burden of student debt and limited job prospects upon graduation.

Experts point to rising tuition costs as a primary factor contributing to this shift. The average cost of public four-year college tuition has doubled since 1995, adjusted for inflation. Private colleges have also seen significant price hikes over the same period. As a result, many Americans now view higher education as an unaffordable luxury.

The impact of these changes is far-reaching, with even those who possess advanced degrees questioning their value. According to NBC News polls, less than half of voters with college degrees see their degrees as worth the cost. Instead, they frame the value of a degree in terms of social acceptance and job prospects rather than intrinsic merit.

This shift has led to an increase in interest in alternative education paths, such as technical and vocational programs, two-year degrees, and online courses. As one respondent noted, "Students are more wary about taking on the risk of a four-year or even a two-year degree." Others believe that certain fields, like art or theater, should be cheaper due to their limited job prospects.

The decline in confidence in higher education has significant implications for colleges and universities. With many Americans viewing them as unaffordable, institutions are struggling to maintain relevance and accessibility.

"This is a political problem... They're now seen as out of touch and not accessible to many Americans," said Jeff Horwitt, a Democratic pollster who conducted the NBC News poll alongside Bill McInturff. As the cost-benefit analysis of higher education continues to erode, it remains to be seen how institutions will adapt to meet the changing needs and expectations of American society.

The upshot is clear: the once- sacrosanct value of a four-year college degree has been irreparably compromised. The question now is what comes next for America's most prestigious educational institutions.

dude I'm not surprised anymore college degrees aren't worth it anymore, like tuition costs have been crazy high for ages and still they're inflating . people are starting to think that a degree ain't gonna get you the job or the pay. and what's up with online courses and tech school now? people need something practical instead of some art major drama. colleges gotta step their game up, 'cause right now they're just seen as expensive playgrounds for rich kids .

I'm not surprised at all . People are getting smarter and seeing that there's more to life than just a piece of paper . College degrees used to be seen as the golden ticket, but now they're starting to feel like a burden . With student loans being so out of control, it's only natural that people would start questioning their value.

I think this shift is gonna lead to some major changes in the education system . We might see more focus on vocational training and alternative paths that don't break the bank . And honestly, who can blame 'em? Not everyone wants or needs a fancy degree to be successful .

I'm getting super concerned about this trend . I mean, what's wrong with people thinking that a 4-year degree isn't worth the investment? Like, I get it, tuition costs are insane and student debt is no joke . But at the same time, I think we need to reconsider what a degree really means these days. It's not just about getting a piece of paper, it's about developing skills and knowledge that can actually make a difference in your career .

I'm all for alternative education paths and vocational training - that sounds like a solid option to me! But at the same time, I worry that we're undervaluing higher education altogether. I mean, what if this trend keeps going and we end up with fewer people pursuing degrees in fields that really need them? Like, what if we lose out on talented individuals who could make a real impact in their chosen field?

I just hope that colleges and universities can find ways to adapt and become more affordable and accessible again. We need to find a way to balance the cost of education with its value to society .

I'm low-key surprised by this new trend . I mean, I know tuition costs have gone up over the years and it's getting super expensive to attend college, but I didn't think Americans would be like "meh" about it . I get why people are skeptical - student debt is a huge burden and not all jobs require a degree anyway . But at the same time, I'm worried that this shift could have some major consequences for education as a whole . Like, what's gonna happen to all those colleges and universities that rely on us students paying top dollar? It'll be interesting to see how they adapt and figure out new ways to make higher ed more accessible .

Ugh, I'm literally shaking my head over this ... like, what even happened to the idea that getting a degree is supposed to be worth it? It's crazy how fast people have lost faith in the whole higher education thing. I mean, six out of ten people think it's not worth it because of student debt and limited job prospects... that's wild . And don't even get me started on the cost - like, I know it's been going up and up for years, but still, it's just ridiculous that some people can't afford to even go to college anymore .

And what really gets my goat is that even people with advanced degrees are questioning their value . Like, if you've spent four (or two) years studying something and now you're not sure if it's worth it... what's the point of all that hard work? . And I love how everyone is suddenly looking at alternative education paths as a solution... like, yeah, that's great for some people, but what about those who actually want to pursue a traditional degree? .

I just wish someone would explain to me why this is happening ... is it because of the way we're teaching in schools? Is it because colleges are making themselves too fancy and out of touch with reality? I don't know, man... all I know is that this whole thing is giving me major anxiety .

I think this shift in attitudes towards four-year college degrees is a major concern, especially with the rising student debt and limited job prospects after graduation . It's not just about affordability, but also about the value we place on higher education overall .

I've talked to friends who went into debt for their degrees and are now struggling to pay it off, while others have opted for online courses or vocational training with much more manageable costs . It's like we're questioning what a degree really gives us in terms of job security and social status .

Colleges and universities need to rethink their business models and make themselves more accessible and affordable, especially for underprivileged communities . We can't just leave it up to institutions to adapt – we need systemic changes that prioritize affordability and accessibility over prestige and reputation .

I'm so worried about this shift in attitudes, you know? It's like, we're living in a world where people are starting to see the value of a college degree as being more about the social status thing rather than actually learning and growing . And that's just not fair to those who are struggling to make ends meet. I mean, what about all the students who are already shouldering massive debt loads? It's like, we need to think outside the box here - alternative education paths, vocational training, online courses... these are the kinds of options that can help people get back on their feet .

And I love how Jeff Horwitt said it's a "political problem"... let's just say I'm not surprised . But what I am surprised by is how quickly this shift has happened. It feels like, just yesterday we were being told that a college degree was the key to unlocking our dreams . Now, I'm not saying that education isn't important... but let's be real, we need to rethink the way we're approaching higher education .

I've been trying to prioritize self-care and mindfulness for so long, but it's times like these when I feel like we need to take a step back and re-evaluate what we value as a society . We need to make sure that everyone has access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic status . This isn't just about the students; it's about creating a more equitable future for all of us .

I'm really worried about this, it's like we're losing sight of what education is supposed to be all about . A degree shouldn't just be about getting a job or impressing people, it should be about learning and growing as a person. The fact that so many Americans feel that way now is super concerning. And yeah, tuition costs have been rising for ages, but that's no excuse for the whole system to break down like this. I think we need to rethink what we're doing with our education system and make it more accessible and affordable for everyone

I think this shift in attitudes is kinda crazy, you guys know? Like, I grew up thinking that if I got a 4-year degree, I was set for life . But now it seems like all that matters is what job I can get and how much money I'll make . I'm not saying that's bad, but it just feels like the value of education has been reduced to "will this job pay my student loans?"

And don't even get me started on how expensive college is now . I mean, I know prices have gone up over time, but it's crazy that public tuition has doubled since 1995! That's just not fair to future students who are gonna be stuck with all those debt payments .

I'm actually kinda excited about the alternative education paths being explored though . Like, I've always thought that vocational training and online courses could be super valuable . And it's cool to see people framing the value of a degree in terms of social acceptance and job prospects rather than just intrinsic merit .

But what's gonna happen to all those colleges and universities who are used to being the go-to place for education? Will they just disappear or change their whole model? Only time will tell, I guess .

I'm kinda surprised by this shift in attitudes, you know? Like, I get that tuition costs have gone up, but doesn't everyone deserve a fair shot at an education? And it's not like college degrees are the only way to get ahead - there are tons of apprenticeships and whatnot out there. Plus, some of these art or theater folks can make a decent living without having a fancy degree...

But for real tho, this makes me think about how colleges are gonna have to rethink their whole model. Like, they need to be more affordable and accessible if they wanna stay relevant. Maybe that means offering more scholarships or partnerships with industries to provide actual job training?

I gotta say, I'm kinda surprised by this shift in attitudes towards college degrees... I mean, I get it, student debt and limited job prospects can be a major bummer. But isn't higher education supposed to be an investment in ourselves? Like, if you're gonna pay more for something, shouldn't that something bring some serious returns? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying colleges should just raise prices willy-nilly... but it feels like there's a disconnect between what we're told and what's actually out there. Maybe it's time to rethink the whole "four-year degree" thing and explore more affordable options?

omg, like i know this is gonna sound crazy but idk if thats even worth it anymore lol those tuition costs are out of control!!! i mean yeah i know some ppl will say its all about personal growth and stuff but honestly how many ppl can afford that kinda debt? its like, whats the point of having a degree if u r just gonna end up struggling to pay bills? and dont even get me started on the job market... most jobs require masters or something lol its like, how do i even begin? anywayz im all for alternative ed paths like online courses and tech vocational programs tho... at least those seem more affordable and practical

I'm low-key kinda surprised at this shift in attitude towards 4 yr college degrees... I mean, yeah, tuition costs have gone up crazy and student debt is a real thing but isn't the whole point of a degree to give you a solid foundation for your future career? Now it's all about social status and job prospects? That's kinda depressing tbh. What's next? Are we gonna start valuing degrees based on how many followers you have on Instagram?

People are starting to realize that just cuz u got a degree don't mean u got a job . Tuition costs are thru the roof and it's like, how much more debt r we willing to take on? I think colleges need 2 rethink their pricing and focus on providing value beyond just a piece of paper. Those in art or theater fields, like someone said, should have cheaper degrees cuz jobs r limited there .

I'm just catching up on this thread . I gotta say, I kinda feel ya, though. I've got some friends who went through the whole college thing and are still struggling to pay off their student loans . It's like, you're not really learning anything practical, but you do get a fancy piece of paper that doesn't necessarily guarantee a good job .

I think it's time for colleges to rethink their business model. I mean, we need people with skills and training, not just some degree that might make you eligible for a 401k plan . It's all about adaptability now – technical and vocational programs are where it's at . And can't we just have art or theater schools that don't break the bank? . The way I see it, higher education has to get real about what it's offering and how much it costs.