One in Four Gen Z Workers Regret Going to College

Newsweek

6 days ago

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As artificial intelligence transforms the workplace and student debt balloons, a significant portion of Generation Z now expresses regret over their college education.
According to a new survey by Resume Genius, 23 percent of full-time Gen Z workers regret attending college, and 19 percent say their degree didn't contribute to their career.
Why It Matters
The data reveals a generation at a crossroads, questioning not only whether college was the right choice, but also what careers will remain stable in a rapidly evolving economy.
Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, is entering one of the toughest job markets in history. A different report from Kickresume showed that 58 percent of recent grads were still looking for a job, compared to just 25 percent of the older generations (millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers).
A balloon reading "Congrats Grad" floats above the crowd during Harvard's commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A balloon reading "Congrats Grad" floats above the crowd during Harvard's commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Libby O'Neill/Getty Images
What To Know
The top reasons for Gen Z's regret likely stem from overwhelming student loan debt, a lack of job opportunities in their chosen fields, and the perception of a poor return on investment for certain degrees. Only 32 percent said they're content with their education path and wouldn't change it, according to Resume Genius.
A different report by The HR Digest highlights that many Gen Zers, facing mounting debt and stagnant job prospects, would opt for higher-paying industries or skilled trades if given another chance. Thirteen percent say they would prefer a path without a traditional degree, evidence of a growing interest in trade schools, apprenticeships, and non-traditional career routes.
"Gen Z is carrying debt that either personally weighs them down or is tied to a company benefit that only kicks in if they stay loyal to the firm," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. "It's a new kind of indentured servitude. And to make matters worse, many of them are in roles they probably could've landed without the degree in the first place."
Generative AI is also drastically reshaping the value of a college degree. A recent Indeed report cited by the New York Post shows that nearly 50 percent of Gen Z job hunters feel their education is already obsolete due to AI's impact.
As companies increasingly drop degree requirements and prioritize AI literacy and digital upskilling, many college graduates view their expensive diplomas as less relevant in the modern job market.
"These kids got sold a bag of goods. College became this magical ticket that supposedly guaranteed success. But nobody mentioned the $60,000 a year price tag or the fact that your communications degree might qualify you to manage a Starbucks," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek.
"I've had parents sobbing in my office because their kid's drowning in debt for a degree that's essentially expensive toilet paper in today's job market. The math hasn't worked since 2008, but we kept pretending it did."
Online learning and AI skills are in high demand, with upskilling programs rapidly expanding as employers need their teams to adapt.
"Every job currently posted on Indeed's job board will likely experience some level of exposure to generative AI and the changes it represents," said Linsey Fagan, senior Talent Strategy advisor at Indeed, in a statement to CIO Dive.
Gen Z workers are already responding to economic pressures and shifting values by diversifying their income streams.
The Resume Genius survey found that 58 percent of Gen Z employees have a side hustle, with another 25 percent considering one, primarily to supplement their income, pursue their interests, acquire new skills, or plan for entrepreneurship. This could also reflect a larger sense of regret about pursuing a degree, rather than investing in more lucrative skills or trades.
"Absolutely they regret it," HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. "Society told Gen Z college was the only path to a stable future, then handed them record tuition, predatory debt, and a job market that barely values degrees anymore, while still demanding five years of experience for entry level roles. That math doesn't add up."
"This isn't a Gen Z problem. It's a broken promise, a societal lie," Driscoll said.
What People Are Saying
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "More and more are questioning whether the degree was worth it, and it shows. Enrollment is falling, and in the short term, this could move the price of college tuition down.
"Longer term, I think we'll see a divide. Fewer college grads could mean higher wages for those with degrees, simply because there's less supply. On the other hand, wages for lower-skilled jobs may stay flat or even decline due to oversupply. It's a shift in the labor market that's already playing out."
Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek: "[Gen Z is] the first to call BS on the whole system. They see their friends who skipped college making bank in trades or starting businesses while they're making lattes with a bachelor's degree.
"The job market's dirty secret? Companies started demanding degrees for jobs that didn't need them. Pure laziness. I've watched electricians out-earn lawyers and plumbers retire at 50 while college grads move back in with mom and dad. We convinced an entire generation that working with your hands was beneath them. Meanwhile, skilled trades are desperate for workers, and the pay reflects it."
What Happens Next
As college degrees lose luster and AI reshapes the job market, Gen Z is recalibrating its approach to education and careers.
Whether through trade school, entrepreneurship, or acquiring digital skills, many are actively seeking alternatives to the traditional college route in pursuit of job security and personal fulfillment.
"Gen Z is forcing the conversation we should've had decades ago. They're realizing college isn't magic, it's just expensive. And sometimes the smartest thing you can do is admit you made a mistake and pivot," Ryan said.
"The kids who figure this out early? They'll be the ones retiring young, healthy, and wealthy while their debt-laden classmates are still trying to justify their degrees."