Introduction

A record 35 percent of Americans had attended at least four years of college in 2018 — up from 4.6 percent in 1940. But with tuition rising as much as four times faster than inflation, many graduates are facing high amounts of college debt — almost $30,000 on average — and more than 40 percent are underemployed in their first jobs. These trends raise questions about whether a college degree today is worth the time and money. Studies continue to show a four-year degree boosts lifetime earnings over those of high school graduates, but new research shows that not all graduates will see a strong return on investment, depending on gender, race, family income and type of degree. Employers, meanwhile, complain they cannot find skilled ...

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