THeBlueCashew

Young Americans are thinking twice about a university degree.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/in-a-dramatic-shift-americans-no-longer-see-four-year-college-degrees-as-worth-the-cost/ar-AA1Rk0qN?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=692a2c64a45c4d1ea6e7d983307345d7&ei=17
Almost two-thirds of registered voters say that a four-year college degree isn't worth the cost, according to a new NBC News poll, a dramatic decline over the last decade.

Just 33% agree a four-year college degree is "worth the cost because people have a better chance to get a good job and earn more money over their lifetime," while 63% agree more with the concept that it's "not worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off."

he 20-point decline over the last 12 years among those who say a degree is worth it — from 53% in 2013 to 33% now — is reflected across virtually every demographic group. But the shift in sentiment is especially striking among Republicans.

In 2013, 55% of Republicans called a college degree worth it, while 38% said it wasn't worth it. In the new poll, just 22% of Republicans say the four-year degree is worth it, while 74% say it's not.

Democrats have seen a significant shift too, but not to the same extent — a decline from 61% who said a degree was worth it in 2013 to 47% this year.

Over the same period, the composition of both parties has changed, with the Republican Party garnering new and deeper support from voters without college degrees, while the Democratic Party drew in more degree-holders.

Remarkably, less than half of voters with college degrees see those degrees as worth the cost: 46% now, down from 63% in 2013.

Those without a college degree were about split on the question in 2013. Now, 71% say a four-year degree is not worth the cost, while 26% say it is.

Of the 26% how many of those idiots allow their parents to shoulder the financial responsibility of said degree

there are certain fields where a degree is still a requirement ie doctors and physicists but even there I believe a more focused curriculum free of the propaganda running rampant through higher ed is long overdue

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on November 28, 2025, 06:48:49 PMOf the 26% how many of those idiots allow their parents to shoulder the financial responsibility of said degree

there are certain fields where a degree is still a requirement ie doctors and physicists but even there I believe a more focused curriculum free of the propaganda running rampant through higher ed is long overdue

I aint been to university. But, I know they could shorten degree programs down.

Quote from: Herman on November 28, 2025, 07:14:22 PMI aint been to university. But, I know they could shorten degree programs down.

I remember having a conversation years ago with a lady that is an X-ray/MRI tech and she got her certifications through a two year program at a community college.  When they get rid of the bullshit lib arts requirements in some of the career training, then college does become affordable.

Quote from: Herman on November 28, 2025, 06:36:32 PMYoung Americans are thinking twice about a university degree.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/in-a-dramatic-shift-americans-no-longer-see-four-year-college-degrees-as-worth-the-cost/ar-AA1Rk0qN?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=692a2c64a45c4d1ea6e7d983307345d7&ei=17
Almost two-thirds of registered voters say that a four-year college degree isn't worth the cost, according to a new NBC News poll, a dramatic decline over the last decade.

Just 33% agree a four-year college degree is "worth the cost because people have a better chance to get a good job and earn more money over their lifetime," while 63% agree more with the concept that it's "not worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off."

he 20-point decline over the last 12 years among those who say a degree is worth it — from 53% in 2013 to 33% now — is reflected across virtually every demographic group. But the shift in sentiment is especially striking among Republicans.

In 2013, 55% of Republicans called a college degree worth it, while 38% said it wasn't worth it. In the new poll, just 22% of Republicans say the four-year degree is worth it, while 74% say it's not.

Democrats have seen a significant shift too, but not to the same extent — a decline from 61% who said a degree was worth it in 2013 to 47% this year.

Over the same period, the composition of both parties has changed, with the Republican Party garnering new and deeper support from voters without college degrees, while the Democratic Party drew in more degree-holders.

Remarkably, less than half of voters with college degrees see those degrees as worth the cost: 46% now, down from 63% in 2013.

Those without a college degree were about split on the question in 2013. Now, 71% say a four-year degree is not worth the cost, while 26% say it is.

There is no way that Canadian provinces should be subsidizing useless hobby degrees at the same rate as engineering.

A degree is a piece of paper. A skill offers value to society.

Anyone who ever called a plumber or an electrician knows you don't need a college degree to make a ton of cash.

Quote from: Oliver the Second on November 30, 2025, 12:10:29 PMAnyone who ever called a plumber or an electrician knows you don't need a college degree to make a ton of cash.

Truth.

I dropped pout of university and got hired by a class one railway. I am  fifty six and retired with a very nice pension that is six times Joe's Old Age Security. No regrets.

Quote from: Brent on November 30, 2025, 12:29:42 PMTruth.

I dropped pout of university and got hired by a class one railway. I am  fifty six and retired with a very nice pension that is six times Joe's Old Age Security. No regrets.

My Jo Jo is very of jealous your success. He has no private pension or savings.

Quote from: Oliver the Second on November 30, 2025, 12:10:29 PMAnyone who ever called a plumber or an electrician knows you don't need a college degree to make a ton of cash.

They are in demand well paid skilled trades that take 4 years to reach journeyman status. They deserve the compensation they receive.

Quote from: Shen Li on November 30, 2025, 09:58:54 PMThey are in demand well paid skilled trades that take 4 years to reach journeyman status. They deserve the compensation they receive.

Until they give us the bill for their services.

Quote from: Oliver the Second on November 30, 2025, 12:10:29 PMAnyone who ever called a plumber or an electrician knows you don't need a college degree to make a ton of cash.

And yet having a trade or a high grade profession is no absolute guarantee of anything Oliver the Second .

I've known people who were flying high, well qualified professionals and tradesmen who lost everything.

I think skills should teach kids is how to invest, save money & start a business.

Maybe even give new high school graduates a thousand dollars for a starter investment fund if they complete some courses so they do it right.

Sure a trade can advance a person in life but what young people need to learn is self employment & self reliance/sufficiency.

Government should encourage people to start their own businesses, no matter how small. Even just side hustles that make a few thousand a year.

Just a small amount can make the difference between having a roof over their heads and becoming homeless.

Other thing to is because governments or large corporations can no longer guarantee stable employment due to AI, funding or subsidies should be provided so people can start their own businesses and become at least partially self employed.

Quote from: JOE on December 01, 2025, 11:25:40 AMAnd yet having a trade or a high grade profession is no absolute guarantee of anything Oliver the Second .

I've known people who were flying high, well qualified professionals and tradesmen who lost everything.

I think skills should teach kids is how to invest, save money & start a business.

Maybe even give new high school graduates a thousand dollars for a starter investment fund if they complete some courses so they do it right.

Sure a trade can advance a person in life but what young people need to learn is self employment & self reliance/sufficiency.

Government should encourage people to start their own businesses, no matter how small. Even just side hustles that make a few thousand a year.

Just a small amount can make the difference between having a roof over their heads and becoming homeless.

whats. your. fucking. point. JOEJ

that shit happens? JOEJ

we knew that already JOEJ

Quote from: Shen Li on November 30, 2025, 09:58:54 PMThey are in demand well paid skilled trades that take 4 years to reach journeyman status. They deserve the compensation they receive.

My oldest got into Plumbing about 2 years ago and already he's making over 100K year

25 years old and owns his own home already

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 01, 2025, 11:36:20 AMMy oldest got into Plumbing about 2 years ago and already he's making over 100K year

25 years old and owns his own home already

:good:

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 01, 2025, 11:35:22 AMwhats. your. fucking. point. JOEJ

that shit happens? JOEJ

we knew that already JOEJ

How can I put Joe on ignore?

He is getting worse with the attention seeking bs that derails discussions.

Quote from: Brent on December 01, 2025, 12:12:53 PMHow can I put Joe on ignore?

He is getting worse with the attention seeking bs that derails discussions.

If you click on your profile you should see a link labeled "ignore list"

add him to the input box provided

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 01, 2025, 12:21:05 PMIf you click on your profile you should see a link labeled "ignore list"

add him to the input box provided

Thanks. I will do that right now.

Quote from: JOE on December 01, 2025, 11:25:40 AMAnd yet having a trade or a high grade profession is no absolute guarantee of anything Oliver the Second .

I've known people who were flying high, well qualified professionals and tradesmen who lost everything.

I think skills should teach kids is how to invest, save money & start a business.

Maybe even give new high school graduates a thousand dollars for a starter investment fund if they complete some courses so they do it right.

Sure a trade can advance a person in life but what young people need to learn is self employment & self reliance/sufficiency.

Government should encourage people to start their own businesses, no matter how small. Even just side hustles that make a few thousand a year.

Just a small amount can make the difference between having a roof over their heads and becoming homeless.

Pussycat, remember what I told you after you performed oral sex on me this morning about not sticking to the thread topic?

I know you are starved for attention Sugarbuns, but this is not how you will get replies.

Do you understand now Angeldrawers or do you need to drop to your knees first.

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 01, 2025, 11:35:22 AMwhats. your. fucking. point. JOEJ

that shit happens? JOEJ

we knew that already JOEJ

This is my fucking point Biggie Smiles Biggie Smiles...


Merely Latching onto the label of 'tradesman' doesn't automatically make workers any less replaceable nor provide job security.

Tradespeople are just as vulnerable to technological change and corporate politics as White Collar workers or those with Bachelor Degrees.

The technocrats just haven't gone after them yet, Biggie Smiles.

The trades people are not in their sights at the moment.

But when the Elites decide they need to trim the workforce s'more, Blue Collars or Tradespeople will become just as expandable as college educated White Collar workers.

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 01, 2025, 11:36:20 AMMy oldest got into Plumbing about 2 years ago and already he's making over 100K year

25 years old and owns his own home already

That's terrific Biggie.....you must be proud..

My son is a second year electrician apprentice.....he works at my husband's company.....he's getting paid for his education instead of paying.

Quote from: formosan on December 02, 2025, 10:45:00 AMThat's terrific Biggie.....you must be proud..

My son is a second year electrician apprentice.....he works at my husband's company.....he's getting paid for his education instead of paying.

that's awesome and so much a preferable option to sending him to one of these indoctrination camps masquerading as university

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 02, 2025, 10:57:29 AMthat's awesome and so much a preferable option to sending him to one of these indoctrination camps masquerading as university

And earning minimum wage with a lot of debt.

My Jo Jo never learned a certified skill that could support himself. That is why he is jealous of tradespeople.

Quote from: Brent on December 02, 2025, 12:24:25 PMAnd earning minimum wage with a lot of debt.

Bro -- I seen waitresses working at Applebees after graduating a 4 year university and buried in the resultant debt

now I am not saying that being a waitress is not an honorable line of work.. but one certainly does not need a 4 year degree and 100K student loans to take dinner orders.

what a fucking scam

then when you look around and see that universities in this country have produced utter dimwits like Oak and Lotusdunce you can really see the end to that rabbit hole being nothing but a stopped up cesspool

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 02, 2025, 01:34:00 PMBro -- I seen waitresses working at Applebees after graduating a 4 year university and buried in the resultant debt

now I am not saying that being a waitress is not an honorable line of work.. but one certainly does not need a 4 year degree and 100K student loans to take dinner orders.

what a fucking scam

then when you look around and see that universities in this country have produced utter dimwits like Oak and Lotusdunce you can really see the end to that rabbit hole being nothing but a stopped up cesspool

My boy has a one of those degrees that don't really lead to a career. But, he got some real skills after he graduated.

Another advantage of journeymen is that it is easier path to the US and higher wages and higher living standards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffMXmZKXq5k

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 02, 2025, 10:57:29 AMthat's awesome and so much a preferable option to sending him to one of these indoctrination camps masquerading as university

My son is mechanically inclined like my husband.....it was a natural choice.

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 02, 2025, 01:34:00 PMBro -- I seen waitresses working at Applebees after graduating a 4 year university and buried in the resultant debt

now I am not saying that being a waitress is not an honorable line of work.. but one certainly does not need a 4 year degree and 100K student loans to take dinner orders.

what a fucking scam

then when you look around and see that universities in this country have produced utter dimwits like Oak and Lotusdunce you can really see the end to that rabbit hole being nothing but a stopped up cesspool

Fat Oak's piece of paper really paid off. :crampe:

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 02, 2025, 01:34:00 PMBro -- I seen waitresses working at Applebees after graduating a 4 year university and buried in the resultant debt

now I am not saying that being a waitress is not an honorable line of work.. but one certainly does not need a 4 year degree and 100K student loans to take dinner orders.

what a fucking scam

then when you look around and see that universities in this country have produced utter dimwits like Oak and Lotusdunce you can really see the end to that rabbit hole being nothing but a stopped up cesspool

During the Great Recession, I remember talking with a barista at Peet's Coffee and she mentioned that she was close to getting her MBA done, but the job prospects for that degree were total shit.  I wished her all the best which was pretty much all I could do because I wasn't too far off her economic position.

Quote from: Biggie Smiles on December 02, 2025, 01:34:00 PMBro -- I seen waitresses working at Applebees after graduating a 4 year university and buried in the resultant debt

now I am not saying that being a waitress is not an honorable line of work.. but one certainly does not need a 4 year degree and 100K student loans to take dinner orders.

what a fucking scam

then when you look around and see that universities in this country have produced utter dimwits like Oak and Lotusdunce you can really see the end to that rabbit hole being nothing but a stopped up cesspool

And yet, I don't see why a 4 year degree couldn't include trades training or skills development Biggie Smiles Biggie Smiles.

ie - Why couldn't a Mechanical Engineer or Industrial Design degree include machinist training? I've met a few like that who could do both

Or how about Electrician training for Electrical Engineers? Likewise Computer Engineers?

Or how about teaching Architects and Interior designers to become General Contractors and tradesman as part of their training?

A Landscape Arechitect can train to be a horticulturist or arborist too. etc

I agree. The days of sitting behind a desk strictly pushing papers or looking at a computer screen aint gonna cut it anymore.

These 4 year degrees gonna have to include hands on skills.

They have to up their game to be more practical and competitive in the workforce.

Unfortunately, the workplace is getting to be a smaller, more crowded place and reductionism is in.

They need fewer people for whatever jobs are left.

Still think the schools, even high schools should teach student business or self employment skills as a mandatory part of getting their diplomas.

And you may think the idea of giving graduating students a $1000 investor account is stupid, but that's what your President Trump proposed.

I figger, it might boost the high school graduation rates.

If students aren't just being made to feel that high school is just a chore, but there's a reward for them at the end, they might try harder.

Quote from: JOE on December 03, 2025, 05:05:25 PMAnd yet, I don't see why a 4 year degree couldn't include trades training or skills development Biggie Smiles Biggie Smiles.

There used to be something like that, it was called 'Working your way through college'.