The Daily Is College Worth It?
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Sep 20, 2023 
Paul Tough, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and an expert on education inequality, delves into the shifting attitudes toward higher education in America. He discusses the increasing skepticism among high school students and parents about college's value in today's economy. Tough highlights rising costs, the diminishing financial returns of degrees, and the bleak job market for non-graduates. He emphasizes the need for policy changes to ensure equitable access to education as a public good for future generations.
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Declining Faith in College
- Fewer Americans believe in college's value, shown by declining polls and enrollment.
- This foundational shift challenges the long-held belief in college as essential for success.
The College Wealth Premium
- While college graduates earn more, the 'college wealth premium' reveals a different story.
- Factoring in debt and costs, college may not yield higher lifetime wealth, especially for younger generations.
The College Gamble
- College's value as a wealth-building tool is now uncertain, dependent on major, cost, and graduation rates.
- STEM majors have better odds, but arts/humanities degrees are a gamble if tuition exceeds $25,000/year.