On April 28, the House Education and Workforce Committee released their plan to limit student loan borrowing, capping the federal undergraduate limit at $50,000 and $100,000 for graduate students. To some, this may seem like a sizable amount of money, but records show that schools are only getting pricier. From 2000 to 2022, tuition rose 4.8% a year at public 4-year colleges and 3.9% at private 4-year colleges. According to a CNBC article, entry-level roles feel almost impossible to attain, considering the number of advanced skill sets and years of experience some employers require from recent college graduates. Historically, there has always been a price tag on education, but now the stakes are much higher than in the past. Bachelor’s degrees are required for fewer jobs, per a recent study by The Lane Report. For some companies and occupations, experience is deemed more valuable. Weighing these factors, is pursuing a college degree in 2025 worth it?
A Pew Research study found that 49% of those surveyed said that it was less important to receive a college degree in 2024. Why? The reasons are far more complex than just insufficient finances. In 2025, the Trump administration proposed a $12 billion budget cut to the Department of Education, aiming for completion in 2026. These budget cuts would eliminate funding from programs like TRIO and federal work-study that help need-based students afford college. The collective motivation to pursue higher education is slimming. Furthermore, another Pew study found that 40% of Americans believe a college degree isn’t important to receive a well-paying job.
However, for most professional roles, a Bachelor’s degree is still required for employment. The average income for a bachelor’s degree holder is 86% higher than that of those who only have a high school diploma. Additionally, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities cites that 87% of bachelor’s degree holders report a stronger financial well-being than those who don’t. Besides wage benefits, college can provide substantial opportunities for personal growth, while placing young adults in a structured environment to master their career paths and cultivate some essential knowledge of adulthood.
As an Assistant Professor of Communications at Howard University, Dr. Brandle Mills Cox recognizes how college can encourage students to further embrace their cultural identity. “I’ve witnessed how Black and brown students come to these institutions and find themselves,” she said. College teaches attendees a range of valuable skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and independence. For many students, college represents their first opportunity to live away from home and develop their sense of self. “College gave me the space, resources, mentorship, and community to deepen the work I already was doing and become the artist and organizer I was always meant to be,” said Rutgers Newark alumna Anya Dillard.
Although some decisions may vary, receiving a collegiate education still proves to be an overall good investment. “My experience taught me that trusting my art would ultimately be what would provide me with peace, healing, and clarity that I needed to take on the real world,” Dillard commented.