It's Been a Minute People say college doesn't matter. They're right and wrong.
Oct 10, 2025
Kathryn Palmer, a higher education reporter for Inside Higher Ed, joins the conversation about shifting views on college's value. They discuss a sharp decline in public perception, with only 35% seeing it as crucial today. Kathryn explores rising costs, student debt, and the impact of politics on these attitudes. The guests emphasize the importance of aligning degrees with careers through practical support and internships while advocating for community colleges to meet local job demands, offering a fresh perspective on education's evolving role.
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Perception Of College Has Shifted Dramatically
- Public belief that college is 'very important' has plunged since 2010, though most still find it at least fairly important.
- The shift reflects complex causes beyond cost, including cultural and labor-market changes.
Multiple Forces Erode College's Perceived Value
- Rising tuition, student debt and AI anxieties all contribute to doubts about college value.
- Anti-intellectualism and political backlash also shape perceptions, not just finances.
Student Chooses Warehouse Job Over College
- Elissa Nadworny shared a student example who skipped college to work at an Amazon warehouse earning $20+/hour.
- That clean example shows some high-paying nondegree options now exist that didn't a decade ago.