Public Perception of College Degree Value Declines Significantly Amid Rising Costs
An NBC News poll finds over 60% of voters believe a four-year college degree isn't worth the cost, a 20-point decline since 2013.
FortuneIs college worth the cost? Even graduates don't think so anymore
NewsmaxPoll: 63 Percent Say 4-Year Degree Not Worth Cost
Daily BeastPoll Reveals Shock Reversal in Americans’ Views on College Degrees
NBC NewsPoll: In a dramatic shift, Americans no longer see four-year college degrees as worth the cost
Overview
An NBC News poll conducted from October 24-28 surveyed 1,000 registered voters, revealing a significant decline in the perceived value of a four-year college degree.
Over 60% of voters now believe a four-year degree is not worth the cost, a 20-point drop in public perception since 2013, impacting nearly all demographics.
The decline is particularly pronounced among Republicans, with 74% now viewing a four-year degree as not worthwhile, a significant shift from a decade ago.
Rising college costs, with public tuition doubling and private increasing 75%, are primary drivers for the significant shift in public attitude towards degrees.
Despite Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing higher earnings and lower unemployment for those with higher education, public sentiment has shifted dramatically.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the declining perceived value of a college degree. They highlight poll data showing widespread skepticism, attribute this to rising costs, student debt, and AI's impact on job opportunities, and use language that suggests higher education's "promise is in doubt," while downplaying counter-evidence.