College wasn't worth it for 51% of Gen Zers, study says
(NewsNation) — As the younger generation opts for less traditional jobs and more entrepreneurial side gigs in a digital age, the demand for a college degree has fallen.
Indeed, a popular job site and hiring platform, conducted a survey of nearly 800 professionals in the United States with an associate's degree or higher and found that more than half view their diploma as a waste of money.
They are skeptical about the return on investment, according to the study, revealing a generational divide. About 51% of Gen Z (born 1997-2012) consider their degrees a waste of money, compared to just 20% of Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) and 41% of Millennials (born 1981-1996).
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'For decades, getting a degree meant substantially higher wages,' said Jocelyne Gafner in the study. 'From 1980 through about 2010, the gap between what college graduates earned and what those with only high school diplomas earned grew significantly. But recently, this advantage has hit a wall.'
Researchers with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco point to the 'race between education and technology' to explain the dynamic of wage gaps between those with college degrees and those without.
Now, the wage gap has gotten smaller. Plenty of people are millionaires from internet and tech jobs that didn't require higher education, whereas plenty of people who attended college are still in debt.
'The combination of stagnating wage benefits, skyrocketing costs, degree saturation and debt may explain why younger generations increasingly question whether college is worth it,' Gafner said. 'The traditional promise of higher education simply doesn't align with the reality many younger professionals experience.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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an hour ago
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More Gen Z Delay Having Kids Than Millennials Amid Birth Rate Decline Fears
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Gen Z Americans are more likely to delay having kids due to economic conditions than millennials, according to a new report from AI platform It's what analysts say could be a concerning trend as the birth rate continues to decline, creating larger implications for the economy, workforce and global politics. Why It Matters The CDC recorded a "historic low" for the U.S. general fertility rate in 2023, aligning with global trends seen in several developed countries. The Congressional Budget Office projected that U.S. fertility will remain below replacement for decades to come. A newborn baby girl is reunited with her mother straight after birth in a hospital environment. A newborn baby girl is reunited with her mother straight after birth in a hospital environment. 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Declining Birth Rates and Demographic Shifts Research shows that those choosing not to have children—the "child-free"—are an increasingly visible identity group. Demographic breakdowns reveal higher proportions of white, urban, and employed individuals, with younger respondents more often uncertain or undecided about potential parenthood. Concerns over population decline have prompted legislative efforts, such as Ohio's proposed "Natural Family Month" bill to promote marriage and child-rearing. Policymakers and public figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, have advocated for policies aimed at increasing the birth rate. Meanwhile, discussions about climate change, reproductive rights, and economic factors remain central to the choices facing younger adults. "Ultimately, Gen Z is rethinking commitment and stability in a deeply uncertain future. If we don't address the structural barriers—economic insecurity, lack of family supports, climate threats—we'll see continued delays and declines in family formation, with broad impacts on our social and economic systems in the decades to come," Ngo said. Child-free Americans cite various reasons for forgoing parenthood. A significant subset of young adults, 23 percent, said having children was irresponsible due to climate change, according to a recent Newsweek/Independent Center poll. The same Newsweek report found one in three Gen Zers and millennials do not have and do not want to have children. What People Are Saying Moira Corcoran, a CPA and finance expert on Pearl, said in the report: "This data tells us that Americans, particularly younger generations, are feeling a sense of hopelessness when it comes to their financial outlook. 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Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "It shows that in today's economy, it often takes both parents working full-time just to stay afloat. With prices rising and housing becoming less affordable, there's less room — and frankly, less patience — for adding more financial weight. We also saw birthrates start to decline decades ago as more women entered the workforce and opportunities expanded — and that trend is only continuing." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Not only do inflationary pressures continue to way on the cost of living, but this generation that is newer to the workplace will more than likely be hit harder by many of the layoffs announced over the last six months." "And while the decision to not have children right away because of economic factors may not be fun, it is the right call. Having children is more expensive than ever, and having the maturity to understand it would be impossible to assume the role of parent under one's current income is pivotal for long-term financial growth." What Happens Next There are serious implications if the birth rate continues to decline as recent years would suggest, but these concerns tend to revolve around the workforce and national productivity. "The real concern lies in who's worried — and that's often those viewing the issue purely from an economic lens: fewer workers, fewer contributors to GDP, and slower growth," Thompson said. "Long-term, that could mean more economic stagnation. As populations age, we'll spend more on healthcare and social support and less on innovation and expansion. That's the deeper issue — not population size, but how the age imbalance affects productivity and prosperity."
