Lately, many people have started to question whether education is truly worth it. It used to be seen as the key to success and a good job, but that idea is changing. Younger generations are unsure if college lives up to its promises. High tuition, student debt, and trouble finding good jobs have made people doubt the system. There’s people who even call education a “scam” because it feels like it doesn’t deliver what it promises. As you read, you will look at the main reasons behind that belief including money problems, job struggles, and new ways to build a career without a degree.
One main reason people think education is a scam is because of how expensive it has become. In recent years, college costs have gone up much faster than inflation and wages. This makes it hard for many families to pay without taking on big loans. With less government support, students now cover more of the cost themselves. The College Board says that in “2024 to 2025, average tuition is $11,610 at public colleges and $43,350 at private ones.” Many students graduate with tens of thousands in debt, which can take a long time to pay off. For those who don’t see clear benefits after graduating the high cost feels unfair.
A 2024 report from Higher Education Today shows “while tuition has more than doubled since 1993, student borrowing has tripled, partly due to more expensive programs and changes in who is going to college.” The rising cost of education has led to a major student debt problem. In the United States, student loan debt has gone over $1.7 trillion and affects more than 45 million people. Many graduates have a hard time making payments especially if they don’t get good paying jobs. This debt often delays big life goals like buying a house, starting a family, or saving for the future. For some people the debt feels heavier than the benefits of continuing going to school.
School is still useful for some careers, but more people are starting to question if it really contributes to their careers. Rising costs, student debt, and poor job outcomes make many feel that the system isn’t helping students as promised. Schools often advertise college as a direct path to a good job, but many graduates end up in jobs that don’t match their degrees. This creates doubt about how honest and effective the education learned from colleges really are. A 2022 report from The Hechinger Report says “only 32% of Americans believed college was worth the cost, down from 50% before the pandemic.” As a result more students and families are unsure if education is a smart investment.
Colleges regularly promote their programs as clear steps toward high-paying jobs. They create the impression that earning a degree will lead directly to career success. However, many graduates struggle to find jobs that match their field of study. Some end up underemployed or working in unrelated areas. This gap between what students are promised and what they experience after graduation has caused frustration. As noted by U.S. News & World Report, “the rise of alternatives to four-year degrees reflects growing concern that traditional college paths don’t always deliver the outcomes students expect.”
As the job market evolves, more people are turning to alternative education paths that offer faster and more affordable training. According to Merit America, “many of the fastest-growing jobs in 2025 don’t require a four-year degree. Programs like coding bootcamps, trade schools, online certificates, and apprenticeships are becoming more popular as a result.” These options often lead to well paying, in demand roles in fields like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades. Because they take less time and money than college, many see them as a more practical path to career success. As a result, traditional college is increasingly seen as outdated for those looking to quickly enter the workforce.
Some people think colleges spend too much on sports, fancy buildings, and high salaries instead of focusing on education. They say this money doesn’t really help students learn. A recent article from The New York Times (The Athletic) talks about “the University of Texas football team spends millions on recruiting, NIL deals, and luxury perks. While sports bring in money and attention, some believe that money should go toward academics and helping students.” Extras like gourmet food, private dorms, and climbing walls make people question colleges’ priorities. Many now feel colleges care more about looking impressive and making money than offering a good, affordable education.
Education can still be useful for many, especially in some careers, but more people are starting to question its value. The rising cost, growing student debt, lack of job preparation, and wrong priorities at colleges have made people doubt if it’s worth it. Many students and families feel they don’t get a good return on their investment. Because of this, some believe education is a scam that promises success but often doesn’t deliver. The difference between what people expect and what actually happens has hurt the trust in higher education. Fixing these problems is key to restoring faith in the value of a college degree.
Work Cited
Trends in College Pricing Highlights – College Board Research. research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing/highlights.
Meritamerica. “Is The Job Market Screwed? What You Need to Know in 2025.” Merit America, 26 Feb. 2025, meritamerica.org/blog/job-market-trends-2025.
Arnston, Laurie. “Surprising Trends in College Costs and Student Debt – Higher Education Today.” Higher Education Today, 9 Sept. 2024, www.higheredtoday.org/2024/09/09/surprising-trends-in-college-costs-and-student-debt.
Marcus, Jon, and Jon Marcus. “How Higher Education Lost Its Shine.” The Hechinger Report, 16 Oct. 2023, hechingerreport.org/how-higher-education-lost-its-shine.
Claybourn, Cole. “Alternatives to College: What to Know.” US News & World Report, 31 Dec. 2024, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/alternatives-to-a-4-year-college-what-to-know.
Khan, Sam, Jr. “Is Texas Spending $40 Million on Its 2025 Football Roster? What We Know and Don’t Know.” The Athletic, 1 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/athletic/6325429/2025/05/01/texas-football-roster-budget-nil.
“The Expectations Gap: The Undelivered Promise of American Higher Education.” New America, newamerica.org/in-depth/varying-degrees-2017/expectations-gap.
Jenkins, Matthew. “The Cost Vs. Value Paradox: What Americans Really Think About College.” Lumina Foundation, 19 Mar. 2025, www.luminafoundation.org/news-and-views/the-cost-vs-value-paradox-what-americans-really-think-about-college.
Muller, Chris. “Alternative Paths: Exploring Options Beyond Traditional Degrees.” Forbes, 24 Aug. 2024, www.forbes.com/sites/chrismuller/2024/08/24/alternative-paths-exploring-options-beyond-traditional-degrees.