Gen Z Regrets College Choice Due to Rising Tuition, Job Uncertainty

Sentiment toward college is shifting among Generation Z as they grapple with rising tuition costs, overwhelming student debt, and an unpredictable job market. A recent survey by ResumeGenius revealed that one in four Gen Zers regret going to college or wish they had pursued more lucrative fields. Only a third of the respondents were content with their educational choices, indicating a significant shift in the perception of higher education among the younger generation.

Career counseling experts note that the sentiment about going to college has changed dramatically. Previously seen as a guaranteed path to a career and financial stability, a college degree is now viewed with more skepticism due to mounting student loan debt and a shaky job market. Kolby Goodman, a career coach, highlighted the uncertainty and lack of guarantees in the current job market, where a college degree no longer guarantees employment.

The ResumeGenius survey, which included 1,000 full-time Gen Z workers across the U.S., found that a quarter of the respondents regretted going to college or wished they had chosen a higher-paying field such as tech, finance, engineering, or healthcare. This sentiment is echoed in another survey by career consultancy Tallo, which showed that 62% of young adults aged 18-30 are not in the career they intended to pursue, with 25% actively struggling to find a job in their intended field.

Allison Danielsen, CEO of Tallo, noted that many Gen Z students feel misled about the value of a college degree, as they see individuals with strong degrees underemployed or overlooked. The average cost of college in the U.S. has more than doubled in the 21st century, reaching over $38,000 per student per year. This financial burden, coupled with the uncertainty of job security post-graduation, has led to a growing number of Gen Zers questioning the value of a college education.

The ResumeGenius survey also showed that only about a third of Gen Z workers were content with their educational choices and would not change them. This shift in perspective is not limited to the students themselves; parents are also recognizing the changing value of a college degree. A survey by American Student Assistance found that 70% of teens reported that their parents are more supportive of forgoing a college education for alternative pursuits like trade school or apprenticeships.

Trevor Houston, a career strategist, noted that the return on investment for a college degree is no longer as certain as it once was, given the high cost and uncertain job market. Gen Z workers feel stuck in a Catch-22 situation, where they are urged away from liberal arts majors but also see technical degree holders facing layoffs due to advancements in AI. This uncertainty has made it difficult for Gen Z to choose a career path that guarantees success.

Colin Rocker, a Gen Z content creator focused on career advice, highlighted the dilemma faced by the younger generation. They are caught between the advice of their parents, counselors, and professors, and the reality of a job market increasingly dominated by AI and advanced technologies. Gen Z is now tasked with carving out a place for themselves in an economy where they compete against the most advanced systems and technologies ever seen.