College & Workforce Readiness News in Brief

People Putting Less Faith in Four-Year Degrees, Poll Finds

By Catherine Gewertz — September 12, 2017 1 min read
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Americans are increasingly doubting the value of a four-year college degree, according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.

The poll still tilts in favor of the bachelor’s degree, but by the slimmest of margins: Only 49 percent of the 1,200 adults surveyed think that a four-year degree is worth the cost because it will lead to good jobs and higher lifetime earnings. Forty-seven percent doubt it will.

Skepticism about college degrees is particularly high among men, young adults, and people who live in rural parts of the country, according to the Wall Street Journal. Majorities of those groups doubt that a bachelor’s degree is worth the cost.

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A version of this article appeared in the September 13, 2017 edition of Education Week as People Putting Less Faith In Four-Year Degrees, Poll Finds

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