NBC Poll: Majority of Americans Say Four-Year Degrees Aren’t Worth the Cost
A new nationwide NBC News survey is finding that most Americans no longer believe a four-year college degree delivers enough value for its cost. According to reporting from The Hill, 63% of respondents said a bachelor’s degree is “not worth” the price, pointing to high tuition, student-loan burdens and concerns that many graduates lack the job-ready skills employers expect. Only 33% of those surveyed said the investment still pays off through higher lifetime earnings and stronger job prospects.
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The results represent a significant change from 2017, when public opinion was nearly evenly divided. At that time, 49% said a degree was worth the cost and 47% said it wasn’t, illustrating how sharply attitudes have moved in less than a decade. Additional findings from Pew Research Center reinforce that shift, with just 22% of U.S. adults saying a four-year degree is worth taking on loans and nearly half saying college has become less important for securing good jobs.
Gallup’s 2025 polling shows confidence in higher education has also weakened, with only about 36% of adults expressing strong confidence in colleges and universities. Respondents cited affordability, debt concerns and a belief that institutions are not keeping pace with workforce needs.
Together, the surveys underline a reassessment of traditional education pathways as more Americans look toward alternatives such as apprenticeships, technical programs and job-based training. As skepticism increases, colleges may face rising pressure to lower costs, demonstrate clearer career outcomes and provide more career-aligned curricula.
What happens next could influence state funding debates, enrollment trends and national policy discussions around student-loan programs and workforce development.