Why Are Americans Losing Faith in the Value of College? | Amanpour and Company

Americans appear to be losing faith in the value of higher education. Many are finding that the benefits of college are outweighed by the staggering costs. Since 2016, the number of students heading straight to college from high school has dropped 10%. Author Paul Tough recently investigated this trend and joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss his conclusions.

Originally aired on September 12, 2023

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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.

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[Teak]

There’s an easy solution: Stop ignoring community colleges. Good community college programs help students get good job skills and, if it turns out they discover value in that experience, they can add third and four year experiences at more reasonable costs.

[DavidSchilter]

As a professor in the US, I see so many students that are not well served by college. They are not the sharpest individuals so aren't suited for impactful careers in highly technical fields. They are not economically well-off so the debt is not justifiable. The US should mirror Europe and have cheaper but more selective colleges. Those not going to college can still do well in trade and other schools or business and find upward social mobility outside the romanticized typical US college trajectory.

[indiaandrews]

I remember landing my first job out of college and thinking what a waste college was. I didn’t need to study for four years to do my job. A one year certification would have been enough. My roommate didn’t know what she was going to do for a living and opened the back of her local newspaper. She ended up an administrative assistant doing data entry and filing. I think a lot of us in Gen X had the same experience. Told a college degree guaranteed a middle class life and ended up in jobs for which we were over educated.

[ronkirk]

I spent 6 years in college - two years in community college when I was 22 for business classes, and then, four years when I was 45 for an engineering degree. I never regretted it. You can greatly reduce cost by taking your first two years at a community college (smaller classes and a more nurturing environment are also a plus) and then transferring to a state college or university for in state tuition. College doesn't have to be a huge financial burden; it is high cost private colleges which are overrated.

[c.f.okonta]

The value of a bachelors degree has been diminished because there are so many people with bachelors degrees that it is not as valued as it once was. More people now need a masters degree to stand out

[LeviConquersAll]

It is also worth mentioning that colleges no longer have a monopoly on knowledge. Young folks seem to realize that information is free on the internet.

[kathieharine]

College is now all about job training, not about teaching people how to think. Employers used to hire smart people and then train them.

[paullopez]

My first semester of community college in 2011 was $901 in total for 4 classes, 3 credit hours each. I paid for everything out of my own pocket, with no FAFSA loans needed. Tuition at this same community college has since skyrocketed to a point where a scholarship has been setup for students to attend community college for free. You shouldn't need a scholarship to attend a community college!

[scrubjay]

College it just too expensive these days! This is horrible for our country and for the young people who want to follow their dreams by studying a subject that they love.

[Avant]

I started out at a community college and took my general education courses, and declared my major of Finance while at community college. Then I transferred into a university and got my bachelor’s in Finance and Economics worked my way through college. Then I got my MBA. It was one of the best things I could have done for myself. Because my parents only had high school diplomas coming from the segregated/Jim Crow south, which is an accomplishment in itself. I wanted to go further than my parents did. Don’t sleep on community college.

[neilifill]

It wasn’t even a whole week ago that this show aired a report about ridiculous college spending on buildings, sports facilities, dorms, etc. Someone has to pay for these contrivances, I suppose. I have 4 degrees and I have seen significant benefits because of each of them. But, it’s becoming untenable. We cannot complain when other countries continue to overtake us in multiple ways.

[frederickleung]

Not just the value of college, I found many Americans also losing faith in our K-12 education. Very sad for the country!

[multanemo]

I have a PhD and tell people to skip college and get a trade.

[waltermilliken]

Many professions require a college education : x-ray technicians, nursing, accountants, school teachers, social workers, licensed mental health counselors, psychologists, et cetera . Part of the problem is that colleges know that many people need a college education so the colleges take advantage of this and gouge people by charging too much and raping people financially . People should not have to go into debt for the rest of their lives in order to study a profession. College tuition, like real estate should be regulated and not allowed to be over priced.

[maestoso]

Libera arts colleges/universities have become institutions of commerce aka making professors and administrators money. Just like healthcare has become less about actual heath, higher education has become less about enrichment and development of skills. There’s no guarantee for getting a lucrative job either.

[wendywilson-fall]

Decline in college education and lack of confidence is mirrored in people's attitude toward the medical profession, This is because these altruistic fields are now so dominated by money concerns. Follow the money....

[Missy-Missy]

My father was illiterate so earning my BA & MA are the best things that ever happen to me.

[steven]

When one of your two political parties advocates for ignorance, here you are. You get what you ask for.

[andyiswonderful]

I think the choice of major is the most important factor. The video comments that if you are a STEM student, you will do fine, but if you are in the social sciences or many other fields, you will probably struggle. Doesn't that clearly mean that the job market does not have enough jobs to offer graduates in those other degrees? There is an oversupply of social science graduates, therefore people won't pay as much for them to be employees.

I remember reading a funny article about how colleges were struggling to tell their students in gender studies or women's studies programs what they could do with their degree. Laughably, they listed things like go to law school (which ANY degree holder can do), or teach (meaning, just continue propagating the species).

College is way too expensive. Smart kids of modest means would be well-advised to go to a good low-cost state college and major in something where lots of jobs exist (and that you like).

Maybe too many people ARE going to college, I'm not sure. In addition to professionals, the world still needs lots of skilled labor, entrepreneurs, etc.

[kfrb]

My daughter was in the dual enrollment program from her junior year in high school and received her AA, concurrent with her finish of high school. She is 20 and about to enter grad schoo, having transferred to a 4 yr college to finish her studies. The community college offered 1/2 tuition to high schoolers; after her first year she received full scholarship because of her academic prowess. Look to community colleges, explore programs, form a plan. It's worth it.