Most Americans no longer hold the optimistic view of higher education they once did.
A new poll published by NBC News found nearly two-thirds of Americans, or 63%, believe a four-year college degree is "not worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off.”
The poll, fielded Oct. 24 to 28 among 1,000 registered voters, adds to a growing body of research showing a dramatic shift in Americans' views on college over the past decade. A similar CNBC poll in 2013 found a majority, or 53%, of Americans believed college was worth the financial investment.
A Gallup poll published in September found only 35% of American adults viewed college as very important, compared with 70% in 2013.
The changing outlook comes amid major transformations to the higher education landscape and the labor market, including the rising cost of a college education and advancements in artificial intelligence that are changing the workplace.
