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Is it just me or is higher education kind of being stepped on? A new poll found a record low number of Americans think college is still worth the investment.
Dropping degrees
As the kids might say, college is having a major aura loss. Analytics company Gallup recently found:
Just 31% of Americans now say a college education is “very important,” down from 70% in 2013.
That’s the lowest level Gallup has recorded since it began asking the question in 1978.
That skepticism is pretty widespread, too: Since 2019, the share saying college is very important has fallen among men, women, Democrats, Republicans, younger adults, older adults, and even college graduates themselves.
Employers still have a favorable outlook… In a separate Gallup-Lumina study, 74% said degrees or credentials will stay just as important or become more important for getting a good job at their organization over the next five years.
/ How does this affect you? The trend could push more young people toward apprenticeships, trade schools, certifications, or immediate employment instead of taking on the cost of a four-year degree.
If that continues, employers may respond by dropping degree requirements and expanding skills-based hiring and paid training for jobs that once automatically required a diploma.
