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63% of voters now say a four-year college degree isn’t worth the cost, NBC poll finds
A nationwide NBC News poll shows 63% of registered voters doubt a four-year degree's value due to rising costs and student debt, despite higher earnings for graduates.
- On Oct. 24–28, the NBC News poll of 1,000 registered voters found nearly two-thirds say a four-year college degree isn’t worth the cost, with only 33% viewing it as a worthwhile investment.
- Amid rising costs, data show college debt and tuition are driving skepticism, with Education Data Initiative estimating a bachelor’s can cost up to $500K.
- Republican voters have shifted dramatically, with approval dropping from 55% in 2013 to 22% this year, while Democratic voters fell from 61% to 47%, and only 46% of voters with college degrees say their degree was worth the cost.
- Interest in alternatives has increased, with students considering vocational, technical and two-year programs seeking faster returns, and Josiah Garcia recently shifting from an apprenticeship to engineering while criticizing softer skills majors.
- Compared with 2013 and 2017, the shift is striking, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows higher earnings for degree-holders, yet many now question the return, affecting higher-education demand and policy implications.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
Four-year college degree not worth the cost? Here's what Americans think
According to a survey, 33% of Americans believe that a four-year college degree is worth the cost, while 63% disagree, citing lack of job skills as a concern. Rising costs and changing job market dynamics contribute to skepticism about the degree's value.
·New Delhi, India
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Poll Finds Dramatic Shift in Views on Value of Degrees
A new poll reveals a dramatic shift in Americans' attitudes toward the value of a four-year college degree, with nearly two-thirds of registered voters now saying it's not worth the cost. The NBC News survey found that just 33% believe a college degree is worth the investment because it leads...
·Miami, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left4Leaning Right6Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 33%
C 17%
R 50%
Factuality
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