Does a college degree get you anything these days? Some people say no, but the reality is far more complicated.
About 19 million people are going to college right now. But one recent poll from
Gallup shows that the percentage of Americans who view college as very important is at an all time low, dropping from 75% in 2010 to 35% now. Those who say it's not very important increased from 4% to 24% in the same time period. This is a pretty dramatic change that goes beyond ballooning costs.
Brittany chats with
Elissa Nadworny, an education correspondent for NPR, and
Kathryn Palmer, reporter for
Inside Higher Ed, to get into what’s behind this changing perception – what politics has to do with it – and whether college is still worth it.
(0:00) Is going to college still beneficial?
(2:04) What's behind people thinking a college degree isn't necessary?
(7:54) Why colleges should be responsible for their students's success
(10:23) Why Republicans benefit from college but still discredit it
(16:39) 'Wait WHAT?!': Trivia about the poppiest moments from last week
(21:22) Responding to your comments :)
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