Survey finds majority of Americans do not see the value of a 4-year college degree

A recent survey indicates that most Americans now doubt the benefits of a traditional four-year college education. An NBC News poll revealed that 63% of respondents believe a bachelors degree is not worth the cost, citing reasons such as graduating without concrete job skills and accumulating significant debt. Meanwhile, only 33% of participants felt that a four-year degree is worth the cost, emphasizing the potential for better employment opportunities and higher lifetime earnings.

The shift in public opinion is stark compared to 2017, when nearly half of U.S. adults considered a degree worthwhile. This change in perspective is affecting enrollment trends at four-year universities. Community colleges, in particular, are seeing growing student populations as financial pressures drive students toward vocational programs, and high school students increasingly participate in dual-enrollment courses. Currently, over 12 million students are enrolled in community colleges nationwide.

Jeff Horwitt, a Democratic pollster with Hart Research Associates, commented on the findings: Its remarkable to witness such a dramatic change in attitudes, especially on a core aspect of the American dream, which is the college degree. It was once seen as a gateway to a better life, but now that promise is uncertain. He added that the shift affects all Americans, not just those without degrees. Horwitt conducted the poll alongside Republican pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies.

The study also found that fewer than half of degree-holders46%consider their college education worth the cost, a noticeable drop from 63% in 2013.

Jacob Kennedy, 28, a server with an associate degree, shared his experience: The cost outweighs the value. You accumulate debt, and the jobs you get dont cover it, so you end up in something else entirely. Currently working as a bartender in Detroit, Kennedy noted that returning to service industry jobs after college is a common scenario among graduates.

Despite these concerns, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported an increase in undergraduate enrollment for the third consecutive year. Community college enrollment rose 4%, public four-year universities saw a 1.9% increase, and private nonprofit institutions had a 0.9% growth. Nevertheless, public trust in higher education continues to decline.

Horwitt emphasized the broader implications: This is not just a political issueits a real challenge for higher education. Colleges and universities have lost touch with many Americans due to affordability concerns. They are now viewed as inaccessible and disconnected.

The NBC News survey sampled 1,000 registered voters between October 24 and 28 through online and text-based interviews, with a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

Author: Sophia Brooks