International | Useless studies

Was your degree really worth it?

Crunching the puny financial benefits of many university courses

Male students at the University of Greenwich posing for pictures on graduation day in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College in London. (Photo by: Chris Harris/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

Is university worth it? That question once seemed a no-brainer. For decades young adults in rich countries have flocked to higher education. Governments have touted college as a boon for social mobility and economic growth. Yet as fees rise and graduate earnings stagnate, disillusionment is growing. A poll published by the Wall Street Journal on March 31st suggests a crisis of confidence has worsened: 56% of Americans now believe a degree is no longer worth the time and money spent on it.

This article appeared in the International section of the print edition under the headline "Hitting the books"

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