Is College Worth Going to in Colorado in 2026?

Growing up, most of us were told that we needed to do well in school so we could go to college, get a degree, and then get a good job. College was the standard, and many would be asked where they wanted to go and what they wanted to major in. It used to be that without a college degree you were limited in what you could do and how much money you could make, but times have changed. Many in Colorado are doing fine financially without a college degree, which is why some are asking: is it worth it to go to college and be in debt?

Is College Worth It in Colorado?

College is expensive, and many spend decades in debt, and some never pay off their college debt. Many have gotten degrees to find out they aren't making as much as they thought or aren't even working in the field they got a degree in. A recent study by credible.com revealed that 48% of people believe a bachelor's degree is no longer worth it, and 44% of college graduates say it wasn't worth the cost. Of the 52% that said a bachelor's degree is still worth it, 90% said it gives better job opportunities, 78% believe it helps get higher lifetime earnings, and 70% believe it offers more opportunities for career advancement. Of those that say it isn't worth it, 94% said tuition is too expensive, 83% said student loans take too long to pay off, and 82% said earning a degree does not guarantee employment.

Not Worth It to Go to College in Colorado

Money seems to be the biggest reason that many are saying college isn't worth it anymore. 63% said they would not take on a student loan today to get a bachelor's degree, with 60% of college graduates saying taking a student loan wasn't worth it, and 76% believe that a bachelor's degree should get you a starting salary of $60,000. Sadly, 53% believe that employers will not value a college degree as much in the next ten years, and 58% say a college degree is a luxury, while only 42% view it as a necessity. With technology advancing, 55% believe that AI will play a factor in making college degrees less important moving forward.

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Do you still value a college degree? Do you encourage your children to go to college, or have you encouraged them not to go into debt for a higher education? Obviously, much of this depends on what your child wants to be when they grow up and what you went to school for. To see the full study, make sure to click the link in the second paragraph above.