Public confidence in higher education is declining due to high tuition, student debt, and questions about job prospects, prompting universities to emphasize the financial return on investment of a degree. This includes new rankings, state-published reports on earnings, and aligning degree programs with job market needs, with some states even factoring ROI into community college funding.
While research generally supports the long-term financial benefits of a bachelor's degree, there's a growing awareness that not all degrees yield high salaries, and even promising ones can be risky due to graduate unemployment. A Strada Education Foundation analysis found that most college graduates can expect a positive return within 10 years, but this varies significantly by state, with more affordable states performing better.
Many students, especially from low-income families, are increasingly opting for technical schools or trades over four-year universities due to affordability concerns and a reluctance to incur significant debt. Education officials are also questioning the universal necessity of a four-year degree, highlighting the success of alternative career preparation programs.
Colleges are addressing these concerns by lowering sticker prices, reducing tuition, and focusing on improving graduates' employability. Universities are collaborating with business leaders to identify in-demand skills and integrate them into curricula, while also promoting internships and work experience to bridge th... download the app to read more
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