In today’s world, the age-old belief that a university degree guarantees success is increasingly being questioned. For decades, higher education was seen as the key to unlocking stable and well-paying jobs, but the realities faced by recent graduates paint a different picture. With rising unemployment, underemployment and student debt, many are left wondering: is university still worth it?
One of the most striking issues facing recent graduates is the gap between their education and the job market. Many students enter university with the expectation that their degree will lead to immediate employment in their field. However, statistics show that a significant number of graduates are struggling to find jobs that match their qualifications. In some cases, they are unable to find work at all, while others are employed in positions that don’t require a degree, such as retail or hospitality roles.
A report by the Economic Policy Institute found that recent college graduates face an unemployment rate higher than the national average. Even those who do find employment often experience underemployment—working in jobs that don’t utilize their degree. This disconnect between academic training and the job market is leaving many feeling frustrated and disillusioned.
Secondly, Degree Inflation: The paradox of more education, less value! The oversaturation of degree holders in certain fields has contributed to what’s known as “degree inflation.” As more people pursue higher education, the value of a bachelor’s degree has diminished, with many employers now expecting candidates to have advanced degrees for positions that once required only an undergraduate qualification.
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This leads to a vicious cycle where students feel pressured to pursue graduate degrees just to stay competitive, often incurring even more debt in the process. This phenomenon raises an important question: If a bachelor’s degree no longer provides a competitive edge, is it still worth the time and investment?
The burden of student debt imposes a financial strain, and pursuing higher education further clouds the decision. Tuition fees continue to rise, and students are graduating with record levels of debt. According to the Federal Reserve, the average student loan debt in the U.S. now exceeds $30,000, which can take decades to pay off. This debt burden makes it harder for graduates to pursue their career goals, start families, or even buy homes. It can also push them into accepting lower-paying jobs out of necessity, further fueling the cycle of underemployment.
In addition, many jobs that exist today didn’t exist a decade ago, and the skills required are constantly evolving. Fields like technology, data science, and digital marketing are booming, but they often require specialized training that may not be covered in a traditional university setting. This raises the question: Are universities equipped to prepare students for the jobs of the future?
Many companies are shifting their focus from formal education to practical skills, with some tech giants like Google and Apple no longer requiring a degree for certain positions. Online courses, coding boot camps, and vocational training programmes are gaining traction as more direct paths to employment.
With the shifting job market, alternatives to traditional university degrees are becoming more attractive. Vocational schools, apprenticeships and certifications in fields like coding, nursing, or skilled trades can often lead to stable, well-paying jobs with less time and financial investment than a four-year degree. In fact, some students are opting for these non-traditional paths from the outset, bypassing university altogether. This trend reflects a growing recognition that there are multiple ways to build a successful career, and a university degree may not be the only—or even the best—option.
Is it still worth it then? The answer to whether university is still worth it depends largely on the individual and the field of study. While degrees in high demand fields such as healthcare, engineering and technology often lead to higher employment rates and better salaries, those in the arts, humanities and social sciences face a tougher road ahead. Students must also weigh the cost of tuition against their expected earnings post-graduation, considering factors like job availability, industry growth and their own passion for the field.
For some, university remains a crucial stepping stone toward achieving long-term career goals. For others, alternative routes may offer a more efficient and cost-effective way to enter the workforce.
While university education is still valuable for many, its role as a universal pathway to success is being increasingly questioned. Graduates are facing new challenges, from degree inflation and underemployment to rising debt. As the job market continues to evolve, so too must the ways in which students approach their education and career planning. For many, it’s time to rethink the notion that a university degree is the only ticket to success.
By Faith Oloo
The writer is a student at Rongo University.
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