Is a College Degree Still Worth It? Gen Z’s Growing Doubts

eneration Z (those born between approximately 1997 and 2012) is developing nuanced views on the value of college degrees.

Current data reveals a complex relationship between this generation and higher education, characterized by practical concerns, financial considerations, and shifting priorities.

While many Gen Z individuals still value college education, they are increasingly questioning traditional pathways and seeking alternatives that provide clearer returns on investment.

Gen Z's Overall Perception of College Education

Despite growing skepticism in some quarters, a significant majority of Generation Z continues to view college education as important.

According to Gallup data, 83% of Gen Z in the United States consider a college education either "very important" or "fairly important." However, only 39% rate it as "very important," indicating a notable level of reservation among the cohort.

Age variations exist within this generation, with the youngest members (aged 12-15) slightly more likely to value college education (87%) compared to their older counterparts.

This suggests a potential evolution of attitudes as Gen Z individuals approach college age and confront real-world decisions about their educational futures1.

Demographic factors significantly influence these perspectives.

Female members of Gen Z (87%) demonstrate a stronger belief in the importance of college education compared to males (80%). Political affiliation also plays a role, with 93% of Gen Z Democrats viewing college as important, compared to just 75% of Republicans and 82% of independents.

These variations reflect broader societal patterns in educational attitudes1.

Notably, trust in higher education institutions has declined dramatically.

A 2022 Morning Consult survey revealed that only 41% of Gen Z tend to trust U.S. colleges and universities, representing a substantial drop from previous generations.

This eroding trust underpins many of the changing attitudes toward traditional college pathways.

Financial Considerations

Financial concerns stand at the forefront of Gen Z's skepticism toward college education. Between 2010 and 2022, college tuition increased at an average rate of 12% annually, far outpacing the 2.6% average inflation rate during the same period.

This dramatic cost escalation has forced young people to scrutinize the value proposition of higher education more carefully than previous generations.

The burden of student debt weighs heavily on this generation's decision-making. Total student debt in the United States has reached nearly $2 trillion, with the average student loan burden for college graduates around $33,500.

This financial pressure has contributed to widespread disillusionment, with a recent Indeed survey indicating that over half (51%) of Gen Z graduates express regret about their degrees and consider them a "waste of money".

For many Gen Z individuals, the cost-benefit analysis simply doesn't add up. Approximately 46% believe a college education is not worth the cost3.

Even more concerning, 38% feel that student loans have hindered their career growth more than their degrees have helped them advance

‍The financial calculus becomes particularly problematic for certain fields of study-including psychology, philosophy, and English-where it may take over two decades in the workforce for a degree to justify its cost.

Shifting Focus: From Experience to Employment

Gen Z's approach to higher education differs markedly from previous generations.

While earlier cohorts might have viewed college as a time for self-discovery and exploration, Gen Z has adopted a distinctly pragmatic, job-centric approach to educational decisions.

This shift in priorities is evident in changing patterns of study. At UC Berkeley, for instance, computer science has risen from the seventh most popular major in 2014 to claim the top spot.

Colleges across the country are responding by developing specialized programs in high-demand fields like computing, data science, and business analytic.

The emphasis on practical, employable skills pervades Gen Z's educational thinking.

According to survey data, 58% of Gen Z prefer learning practical skills over formal education, and 49% believe universities should update their curricula to better prepare students for future career challenges3.

This practical orientation reflects a generation that came of age during economic uncertainty and is keenly aware of rapidly changing job markets.

Trust Issues and Institutional Challenges

The declining trust in higher education institutions represents a significant challenge for traditional colleges and universities.

Only 41% of Gen Z tend to trust U.S. colleges and universities, a stark contrast to the 63% of millennials who valued college education or planned to pursue it, according to a 2014 Pew Research Survey.

Many Gen Z students question whether colleges are adequately preparing them for the modern workplace. Nearly 70% of recent graduates believe they could perform their current jobs without a degree.

This perception is reinforced by changing employer practices, with 52% of job listings on Indeed now omitting formal education requirements4.

Concerns about technological disruption further compound these doubts. Many young people worry about artificial intelligence transforming the job landscape, potentially rendering certain degree-based skills obsolete.

For a generation raised amid rapid technological change, this anxiety about future relevance is particularly acute.

Alternative Pathways and Preferences

As trust in traditional pathways diminishes, Gen Z has demonstrated increasing interest in alternative educational models. Online learning has seen a surge in popularity, with Gen Z students showing a particular preference for digital education options.

This trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic but was already underway due to Gen Z's digital nativity.

Alternative credentials are gaining significant traction among educational institutions.

According to a survey of business schools, 71% of respondents consider alternative credentials a required strategy for today's educational landscape. These include certificates (offered by 91% of schools providing alternative credentials), badges (15%), and microcredentials (13%).

The most common alternative credentials focus on practical, in-demand skills, including data analytics (63%), leadership (46%), entrepreneurship (38%), finance (29%), supply chain management (29%), and marketing (26%). This emphasis on specific, marketable skills aligns with Gen Z's pragmatic approach to education.

The skilled trades represent another alternative path attracting Gen Z interest. Research indicates that 98% of Gen Z jobseekers would pursue careers in skilled trades if training was funded, suggesting that financial barriers-rather than lack of interest-prevent many from pursuing these non-degree pathways7.