Is college still worth it in the U.S.? A lot of young people are asking this now because college is getting really expensive. Student loan debt in the country is almost $1.8 trillion. That’s a huge number. So people are wondering, is going to college still a smart idea? The answer is yes for many people but it depends on what you study.
College in the U.S. is expensive, but most people who get a degree end up earning much more than those who don’t. On average, college graduates earn around $32,000 more each year than high school graduates, and this gap grows with experience. However, not all degrees pay the same, fields like computer science, engineering, and healthcare usually offer better paying jobs, while liberal arts degrees may have lower returns. So, college can be a good investment if you choose your subject carefully, as per a report on USA Today.
People who study math, computer science, or engineering often see the biggest returns, earning around 18 per cent more every year. Health-related degrees also do well, with about a 14 per cent return. Liberal arts degrees, on the other hand, bring in around 8 per cent, and for some students, especially those in low-paying jobs, the returns can be very low or even zero. It’s also important to finish your degree on time. Students who take longer than four years to graduate often see lower returns.
For today’s graduates, salary is one of the most important things when looking for a job. According to Monster’s 2025 Graduate Report, 62 per cent of new grads say a good salary is their top priority. Almost half said they wouldn’t take a job if it didn’t offer decent pay and benefits, and only 12 per cent are willing to work for free through unpaid internships. Most young people want to work in fields like business, healthcare, finance, or tech, areas that usually offer better pay.
Many people worry about the high cost of college and skip it altogether, but most students don’t pay the full sticker price. In 2024-25, the average yearly cost after financial aid is about $2,480 at public colleges and $16,510 at private ones, less than what it was ten years ago. Student debt also isn’t as bad as many think; half of public college grads in 2022-23 had no debt, and those who did owed about $29,300 on average. Some experts believe the student loan crisis is often overstated.
Many Americans are beginning to doubt the value of college, especially if it means taking out loans. A Pew report shows that only about one in four people think a degree is very important for getting a good job. Politics has added to the confusion, with actions like the Trump administration threatening to cut funds to top schools over diversity issues. A major problem is that colleges often don’t clearly show what students will actually pay after financial aid. For instance, while Princeton lists its yearly cost as over $82,000, most students pay around $10,000, but many families don’t know tools like “Instant Net Price Estimator” and “MyinTuition” can help reveal the real cost.
College can still be a good choice, but you have to be smart about it. You should pick a major that leads to a good job, try to finish college in four years, and know how much it will actually cost. Students need simple and clear information to understand if college is the right path and what kind of future it can give them.
A1. Yes, especially if you pick a major with strong job prospects like tech or healthcare.
Q2. Do all students end up with heavy debt?
A2. No, many get financial aid and nearly half of public college graduates have no debt.
#Operation Sindoor
India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Pak moving troops to border areas? All that’s happening
Why India chose to abstain instead of 'No Vote' against IMF billion-dollar funding to Pakistan
How Pak's jihadi general Munir became trapped in his own vice
People who study math, computer science, or engineering often see the biggest returns, earning around 18 per cent more every year. Health-related degrees also do well, with about a 14 per cent return. Liberal arts degrees, on the other hand, bring in around 8 per cent, and for some students, especially those in low-paying jobs, the returns can be very low or even zero. It’s also important to finish your degree on time. Students who take longer than four years to graduate often see lower returns.
For today’s graduates, salary is one of the most important things when looking for a job. According to Monster’s 2025 Graduate Report, 62 per cent of new grads say a good salary is their top priority. Almost half said they wouldn’t take a job if it didn’t offer decent pay and benefits, and only 12 per cent are willing to work for free through unpaid internships. Most young people want to work in fields like business, healthcare, finance, or tech, areas that usually offer better pay.
Many people worry about the high cost of college and skip it altogether, but most students don’t pay the full sticker price. In 2024-25, the average yearly cost after financial aid is about $2,480 at public colleges and $16,510 at private ones, less than what it was ten years ago. Student debt also isn’t as bad as many think; half of public college grads in 2022-23 had no debt, and those who did owed about $29,300 on average. Some experts believe the student loan crisis is often overstated.
Many Americans are beginning to doubt the value of college, especially if it means taking out loans. A Pew report shows that only about one in four people think a degree is very important for getting a good job. Politics has added to the confusion, with actions like the Trump administration threatening to cut funds to top schools over diversity issues. A major problem is that colleges often don’t clearly show what students will actually pay after financial aid. For instance, while Princeton lists its yearly cost as over $82,000, most students pay around $10,000, but many families don’t know tools like “Instant Net Price Estimator” and “MyinTuition” can help reveal the real cost.
College can still be a good choice, but you have to be smart about it. You should pick a major that leads to a good job, try to finish college in four years, and know how much it will actually cost. Students need simple and clear information to understand if college is the right path and what kind of future it can give them.
FAQs
Q1. Is going to college still a good idea in the U.S.?A1. Yes, especially if you pick a major with strong job prospects like tech or healthcare.
Q2. Do all students end up with heavy debt?
A2. No, many get financial aid and nearly half of public college graduates have no debt.
