10/20/2026
With 2 of my kids in college, this article struck a cord. One thing it did not mention that I've learned is how much my daughters' college experiences are teaching them about "adulting"...managing money, long-term planning, household responsibilities, advocating for themselves, conflict management, etc.
The article discusses how only 31% of Americans now call college “very important,” down from 70% in 2013, yet enrollment is still rising. The concern is mostly about cost, not value. Degree holders still earn more and face lower unemployment. Families are now asking whether a specific path is worth its price, which is also driving growth in community colleges and vocational programs.
Just 31% of U.S. adults say college is very important. Yet enrollment is growing as families ask hard questions about what a degree costs and what it delivers.