A recent poll indicates that many Americans are questioning the value of a college degree, particularly with rising tuition costs and a challenging job market leaving young adults in significant debt.
Over 60% of registered voters believe that pursuing a four-year degree isn’t worth the expense, marking a notable shift of 20 percentage points in the last 12 years. The NBC News poll shows that while about a third of respondents feel a degree enhances job prospects and earning potential, a substantial 63% think it’s a poor investment. Many graduates end up without the specific skills needed for jobs and burdened by debt.
Back in June 2013, 53% of voters believed college was a sound investment, but this approval waned to 49% in 2017, with nearly half of voters expressing skepticism about the return on high tuition fees. Pollster Jeff Horwitt points out that this trend suggests a growing disillusionment with the idea of a degree being worth the financial commitment across various demographics, not just among those without a degree.
Despite a slight easing in tuition rates, the average cost of attending a public four-year institution for in-state students has actually doubled since 1995 when adjusted for inflation, per data from the College Board. Meanwhile, private college tuition has climbed by 75% over the past three decades.
Interestingly, fewer than half of the voters holding a college degree (around 46%) now believe their education justifies its cost, compared to 63% in 2013. Among those without degrees, views have also shifted dramatically; by 2025, 71% will likely agree that a four-year degree isn’t worth it, while only 26% will advocate for its value.
On a brighter note, there’s been a surge of interest in technical and vocational training or two-year programs, as many young people look for more affordable educational paths that facilitate quicker entry into the job market.
This decline in valuing a college degree cuts across demographic lines, but the most significant change has been among Republicans. In 2013, 55% of Republican voters viewed obtaining a degree as worthwhile, while in 2025, only 22% uphold that belief, with 74% thinking otherwise.
Democratic voters have also shown a decreasing confidence in college education value, dropping from 61% in 2013 to just 47% today. Meanwhile, the opinions of independent voters have fluctuated, with a drop from 54% in 2017 to merely 32% now endorsing the worth of a four-year degree.
Throughout the last decade, Republicans seem to have gained traction among voters without degrees, whereas Democrats have drawn more support from those holding degrees. Public trust in higher education has also diminished significantly, as noted in a recent Gallup poll.
This NBC News poll was conducted in partnership with Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies, involving a combination of telephone interviews and online surveys between October 24 and 28, with a margin of error of 3.1%.
