Only 35% of Americans now consider a four-year college education “very important” — a steep decline from the 70% who said so in 2010.
It’s understandable why. Families are concerned about rising costs. And much remains uncertain about how AI will reshape entry-level job opportunities. Given these pressures, many families increasingly wonder whether a bachelor’s degree — which historically enabled graduates to earn $2 million more over their lifetimes than workers with only high school diplomas — is still a good investment.
The answer depends entirely on the university.
The AI Threat to Entry-Level Jobs Is Real
More than eight in 10 employers say their workforce will need new skills to adapt to AI, according to a recent Microsoft survey.
