Is College Still the Best Path? Gen Z’s Changing Views

For generations, the path was clear: high school, college, job, stability. But Generation Z is questioning that path.

Sky-high tuition, heavy student debt, and the COVID-19 pandemic have shaken faith in college as a sure step to success. While 83% of Gen Z still values college as important, but public confidence in higher education is dropping.

This shift is reshaping the workforce, employer expectations, and how young adults plan for the future.

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Why Gen Z Is Rethinking College

College costs are a major reason Gen Z is rethinking school. In-state tuition and fees at public universities average more than $11,000 a year, while private schools top $43,000—nearly $60,000 a year when you factor in room, board, books, and everyday expenses. Over four years, that adds up to $240,000.

Most students, of course, aren’t paying that directly out of their pockets. Instead, they turn to student loans, which come with their own burdens.

The average federal student loan debt is almost $40,000. Repayment usually lasts decades.

If you’ve just graduated and started working, and a quarter of your paycheck goes to servicing debt, that greatly alters how you live, save, or invest in your future. And if you take out loans and don’t finish your degree, it’s even worse—the debt remains, but the earnings premium never arrives.

COVID-19 upended college plans for many in Gen Z. By fall 2021, more than half of U.S. households had someone who changed their college plans—whether that meant switching schools, taking fewer classes, or not going at all. Money issues, health concerns, and caregiving responsibilities were some of the biggest reasons behind the shift.

Alternative Career Paths

Rising costs have made alternative career paths like apprenticeships gain appeal. They offer paid, hands-on training from day one in fields ranging from construction to cybersecurity and an average starting salary of $80,000. Plus, no debt.

Gen Z is also exploring faster, cheaper digital options like coding boot camps, which have an average tuition cost of $13,274. Demand is high for software developer jobs: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates they will grow by 15% between 2024 and 2034.

Many graduates of coding boot camps report starting salaries of around $70,000 in their first job out of boot camp. That number goes up to around $80,000 at their second job out of boot camp, and almost $100,000 for their third, a return on investment (ROI) that comes much faster than the usual college route.

Does a Degree Still Pay Off?

Despite the high price tag of college and the alternative options, the data show that a college degree is still worth it. According to the BLS, as of early 2025, workers with a bachelor’s degree earned a median of about $1,754 per week, compared to $953 for those with only a high school diploma.

However, averages don’t paint the whole picture. Your major matters.

A degree in nursing or engineering, for example, will pay for itself quickly, with strong salaries and job security. Engineering degrees have an ROI of 326.6% after five years, and nursing, 280.9%. Compare that with a fine arts major, whose five-year ROI is 163.3%.

It’s not only your major that matters, but also the time it takes to complete your bachelor’s degree. At many four-year schools, only around half of students finish a bachelor’s degree in four years. More finish in five to six years. Each extra semester isn’t just more costs; it’s lost wages you could have been earning.

How to Weigh Your Options

If you’re deciding on whether college makes sense or another option, consider these steps to help you come to a decision:

• Map career goals: Does your dream job legally or practically require a degree? For example, if you want to be a doctor, you must attend college. Do you want to be in coding, design, or marketing? Then maybe certifications or a boot camp will be fine.
• Run the numbers: Use a college’s net price calculator to determine your annual cost. Public in-state schools cost much less than private schools. Factor in scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Project your debt: Determine the amount you will need to borrow. Put that into a loan payment calculator and come up with your monthly payment. Weigh that against salary statistics for the job you plan on having.
• Compare paychecks: Look up typical starting salaries for your field in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Consider whether your prospective salary can cover your loan payments.
• Factor in learning style: Everyone learns differently. Are you engaged in classroom settings, or do you learn better hands-on, or independently? A traditional campus classroom might be well-suited for some, while online certifications or trade schools might be better for others.
  

The Bottom Line

You have options beyond college when you graduate high school, but they come with tough tradeoffs. If your future career pays well, debt is manageable, and you graduate on time, college may be worth it. Otherwise, trade school, coding boot camps, or entering the workforce might be smarter. As prices rise, weighing the costs and benefits of your education is becoming more critical than ever.