Not so long ago, a large majority of young Americans were certain that a college degree was essential if they were to enjoy a good life. They’d heard that line over and over, and even though college did not work out for quite a few, still, the big narrative prevailed.

These days, however, the obvious fact that college degrees are not necessary for success and often merely lead to a mountain of debt has taken the bloom off the rose. In a Martin Center article, Sophia Damian looks at some recent polling that shows increasing skepticism about the value of the good old BA degree.

She writes:

America’s latest college graduates, however, have increasingly begun to question this narrative. A recent Indeed report found that 51 percent of Gen Z job seekers believe their degrees were ‘a waste of money.’ In today’s rapidly changing job market, a college education no longer obviously provides the advantage it once did.

Moreover, the rise of AI has many students thinking that college won’t provide them with the knowledge they need. And quite a few employers are dropping college degree requirements and instituting skills-based hiring.

Damian continues:

College degrees do provide some advantage when it comes to job-seeking or wages, for now; however, alternative routes such as trade schools, apprenticeships, and microcredentials are gaining increasing popularity among young individuals who wish to improve their skill sets without spending four years and tens of thousands of dollars on a degree that may eventually provide only a negligible benefit.