The traditional belief that a four-year college degree guarantees career success and economic security is being seriously questioned across the United States. A new poll by NBC News finds that 63 percent of registered voters now say a four-year degree is not worth the cost, a dramatic reversal from a decade ago.
A Major Shift in Public Perception
Only 33 percent of respondents in the recent poll said a bachelor’s degree remains “worth the cost because people have a better chance to get a good job and earn more money over their lifetime”. In contrast, earlier polling in 2013 showed 53 percent of respondents believed college was worth it. By 2017 the split had been nearly even.
Even those who already hold degrees are increasingly skeptical. Among degree-holders surveyed, only 46 percent now feel their college education was worth the cost, down sharply from 63 percent in 2013.
What’s Driving the Doubt
Financial burden ranks highest among reasons for the growing disillusionment. Many respondents said students often graduate “without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off”. Tuition and living costs have risen substantially over the past decades, while wage growth and job market promises have slowed. Analysts warn that the traditional payoff once associated with a bachelor’s degree, stable employment and higher lifetime earnings, is no longer assured.
There is also evidence that credential inflation is eroding the value of a degree. As more jobs require a bachelor’s degree for roles that once accepted high school graduates, the advantage of holding a college credential diminishes. This dynamic seems to be reshaping how Americans assess educational value, many now view the four-year degree as a risky investment rather than a guaranteed path to stability.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
The shift in public sentiment carries important consequences for both individuals and institutions. For students and families, rising skepticism may lead more people to explore alternative routes such as vocational training, community colleges, or certification programs that provide faster entry into the workforce at lower cost. For institutions of higher education, declining confidence could lead to lower enrollment, financial strain, and pressure to adapt curricula toward more practical, job-oriented skills rather than purely academic knowledge.
Politically and socially, eroding faith in the classic “college for all” narrative may reshape expectations about social mobility, career preparation, and the role of universities in defining success. As one pollster interviewed by NBC remarked, the idea of a college degree as a central pillar of the American dream is now in serious doubt.
What This Means Going Forward
The results of this poll suggest a turning point: for millions across the country, higher education is no longer a default path to stability. With cost burdens, uncertain job outcomes, and shifting labor market demands, a four-year degree may increasingly be seen as one option among many, not a guaranteed ticket to success. In the years ahead, the challenge for educators, policymakers, and students will be to find sustainable, flexible paths that offer both value and opportunity, even if that means rethinking what higher education really should deliver.
