College Education Flunks Out — By More Than 2-To-1, Voters Say It's Not Worth It

It wasn't long ago that millions and millions of American kids heard their parents' best advice: "The only way to get ahead is with a college education." And millions took their advice. Today's parents and the kids themselves are skeptical college is worth the cost, the latest I&I/TIPP Poll shows.

The national online poll, taken Feb. 24 to Feb. 27, asked 1,456 adults: "Do you believe a four-year college degree is worth the cost for most Americans today, or not?"

The answer indicates serious erosion in how Americans view the value of higher education. Overall, of those responding, 59% selected "Not worth the cost," while just 24% picked "Worth the cost." Another 16% weren't sure.

(By comparison, as recently as 2013, a Gallup Poll found that 70% of Americans believed college was worth the price.)

A look at the responses broken down by the 36 demographic groups that I&I/TIPP follow each month shows no group is now convinced a college degree is worth the money. None.