The long-standing belief that a four-year college degree guarantees a better future is rapidly losing public support in the United States. A new nationwide survey shows that nearly two-thirds of American voters now believe a traditional college degree is no longer worth its cost.
According to the latest NBC News poll, only 33% of registered voters believe a four-year degree is worth the investment because it improves lifetime earning potential. A much larger 63% say it is not worth it, citing heavy student debt and a lack of practical job skills after graduation.
This marks a dramatic reversal from past attitudes. In 2017, Americans were almost evenly split on the issue. In 2013, a clear majority said college was worth the cost. Over just 12 years, public confidence in the value of a bachelor’s degree has collapsed by 20 percentage points.
Experts say soaring tuition fees, mounting student loan debt, and rapid changes in the job market — especially with the rise of artificial intelligence — are reshaping how Americans evaluate higher education.
Despite federal labor data consistently showing that degree-holders earn more and face lower unemployment, the financial burden of college has altered public perception. Since 1995, inflation-adjusted tuition at public universities for in-state students has doubled, while private college tuition has increased by about 75%.
For many young workers, the debt-to-income imbalance is the breaking point. Service industry workers with college degrees are increasingly common, and many graduates report returning to lower-paying jobs simply to manage their loan payments.
The shift cuts across nearly every demographic group but is most pronounced among Republicans. In 2013, a majority of Republicans still believed a degree was worth the cost. Today, only about one in five share that view. Democrats have also grown more skeptical, though nearly half still see value in a four-year education.
Even among Americans who already hold a bachelor’s degree, fewer than half now believe the cost of college is justified. Among those without a degree, more than 70% say it is not worth the financial risk.
Policy analysts say years of examples where degrees failed to deliver promised financial security have weakened the long-held belief that college always pays off. Dropouts, underemployment, and mismatches between degrees and labor-market demand have all contributed to growing skepticism.
As a result, interest is rapidly growing in technical training, apprenticeship programs, and two-year degrees that allow students to enter the workforce faster with less debt.
Still, many Americans believe certain professional fields such as engineering, healthcare, and technology continue to justify a four-year degree — while artistic and non-technical degrees are viewed as financially riskier.
For families burdened by student loans, affordability has become the defining issue. Voters increasingly view college degrees as a social gatekeeper rather than as an investment that guarantees prosperity.
Public trust in higher education has also eroded. Polling shows confidence in colleges and universities has steadily declined over the past decade, largely driven by concerns over rising costs and limited economic return.
Analysts warn that unless affordability improves, the disconnect between universities and large sections of the American public is likely to widen further — reshaping both the education system and the future workforce.
