The debate over the value of college degrees has intensified in recent years, with figures like Ben Shapiro arguing that higher education—particularly in non-STEM fields—is a “scam.” Here’s a breakdown of the key arguments and data:
### The Case Against College Degrees
Critics highlight skyrocketing tuition and student debt. Only 22% of Americans believe college is worth the cost if loans are required, while 29% say it’s not worth it at all. For example, Ben Shapiro calls the system a “regressive redistribution” scheme, arguing that federal subsidies and loan forgiveness policies inflate tuition while trapping students in debt.
Shapiro and others criticize “degree inflation,” where jobs that once required only high school diplomas now demand college credentials. A 2017 Harvard study found this trend undermines U.S. competitiveness and disproportionately harms low-income workers. Shapiro argues this creates artificial barriers, forcing students into debt for degrees that don’t improve job prospects.
Conservatives like Shapiro claim universities prioritize progressive ideologies over practical skills. He dismisses liberal arts fields like sociology or “lesbian dance theory” as academically frivolous and economically nonviable. Roughly 53% of college graduates work jobs that don’t require their degree, and 41% of recent grads avoid entry-level roles due to perceived underqualification.
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### The Economic Reality
Despite skepticism, data shows college graduates earn annually than high school graduates, with a $1.2 million lifetime earnings advantage. Unemployment rates for degree holders are half those of non-graduates, and poverty rates are 3.5× lower. Public universities, which enroll 66% of bachelor’s students, drive much of this mobility.
While 23% of bachelor’s programs have negative ROI, STEM and healthcare degrees (e.g., engineering, nursing) often yield $500K+ lifetime returns. Conversely, majors like fine arts or psychology frequently fail to offset costs.
Political polarization shapes views: 50% of Republicans say degrees are unimportant for well-paying jobs, versus 30% of Democrats. Meanwhile, proposals like doubling Pell Grants or free college programs could expand access to high-ROI institutions.
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### Conservative Alternatives
Shapiro and allies advocate:
– : Technical trades often outperform median bachelor’s degrees in ROI.
– : Companies like IBM and Hilton now prioritize skills, with 44% of jobs no longer requiring degrees.
– : Critics argue universities prioritize ideology over merit, prompting conservative-led alternatives (e.g., PragerU, Hillsdale College).
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### The Bottom Line
While college isn’t universally valuable, its economic benefits remain significant for most students— of institutions meet minimum ROI thresholds. However, rising costs and ideological battles have eroded public trust, particularly among conservatives. The solution lies in targeted reforms (e.g., transparency in earnings data, vocational pathways) rather than blanket dismissals of higher education.
