A college degree can have a profound impact on individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. The nature and scope vary based on the reason for pursuing the degree and the quality of instruction, but its influence is clear on everything from finances and career trajectory to personal growth and stability.
Skeptics have called into question the benefits of a college degree. Some worry that the return on investment (ROI) is not sufficient compared with the years of hard work and tuition required. Meanwhile, advocates argue that, while higher education and the workforce are both evolving, college remains worthwhile.
So, is a college degree worth it? For many, the answer remains a definite yes — with a few caveats.
The sections below explore these concerns in greater detail, along with how informed college decision-making can maximize the ROI of higher education. At institutions like Johnson & Wales University (JWU) Online, this ROI conversation is already shaping how programs are designed, delivered, and supported for today’s learners.
What the Data Actually Reveals About Degree ROI
The current rethinking of the traditional college pathway has prompted concern among higher education advocates, who fear that this reluctance to pursue well-rounded liberal arts training will exacerbate already concerning skill gaps and deepen existing inequities. Take a deeper dive into relevant surveys, studies and data-backed insights into financial and personal outcomes among college graduates.
Undergraduate enrollment increased 1.2% in fall 2023, showing modest post-pandemic growth despite widespread perceptions of decline1
Degrees Still Deliver Higher Lifetime Earnings
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) cuts through the noise in the current college debate by clarifying that employees equipped with bachelor’s (or master’s) degrees see substantial rises in median earnings. These wage increases can have a snowball effect, supporting career advancement and greater job stability over time.
Projected lifetime earnings for 2025 bachelor’s degree holders: $7.951 million2
Potential earnings may be even greater for those in select technical or management roles, where college attainment tends to be far higher; Census data suggests:
- 64%+ of professionals in management, business, and financial roles hold at least a bachelor’s degree
- These fields often offer greater wage growth and career mobility over time
For many graduates, the value of a degree lies not only in earnings but also in expanded opportunities and long-term security — particularly when programs are designed with clear career outcomes in mind, as they are at JWU Online.
If I ever need a backup plan because I can’t work anymore as a chef, I have confidence this bachelor’s degree will open up new opportunities for me within or outside of the industry.
— Michael Yates ’23, B.S. Culinary Arts and Food Service Management
Stronger Employment Security in a Volatile Job Market
All signs point to a cooling labor market.
- Job openings and hires are declining (EPI JOLTS data)
- Average unemployment duration exceeds 24 weeks (BLS)
As competition increases, employers are becoming more selective. While some studies suggest that the employment advantage of college graduates has narrowed, the advantage has not disappeared.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland still identifies:
- Greater job security once employed
- Substantial wage premiums for degree holders
In uncertain markets, credentials matter — not just for getting hired, but for staying employed.
Employer Demand Remains High — Even as Skills Evolve
The perceived benefits of a college degree may have shifted among potential students, but employers remain steadfast in their belief that college-level training yields more productive and innovative professionals.
80% of employers do not anticipate changing bachelor’s degree requirements for entry-level roles3
In fact, many employers expect higher skill requirements for these positions as work becomes more complex and technology driven.
Changing Workforce Dynamics Are Increasing — Not Decreasing — the Value of a Degree
Evolving workplace trends do not negate the value of a college degree, but they do influence which types of training are most valuable and how higher education influences both immediate workforce entry and long-term professional outcomes. That’s why JWU Online emphasizes applied, career-focused curricula that prioritize problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world scenarios — skills that remain valuable regardless of industry shifts.
AI and Automation Are Elevating the Need for Higher-Order Skills
Students and employees worry about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on the job market, fearing they will be displaced as these systems grow more advanced.
AI may automate tasks, but it also increases demand for:
- Analytical thinking
- Ethical judgment
- Communication and collaboration
- Problem-solving in complex environments
It’s evident that AI will have (and is making) a profound impact on the labor market, but its scope remains difficult to predict. The BLS, for instance, references “uncertainty in analyzing the relative likelihood of employment impacts across occupations.”
The 2026 Landscape of Higher Education report from EducationDynamics refers to AI integration as the “most potent accelerant” of today’s educational transformation, clarifying that the “value of a degree must now be considered by its ability to prepare graduates to thrive in a collaborative future with intelligent machines.”
AI skills appeared in 628,000+ job postings in 2024, particularly in roles requiring bachelor’s degrees4
Such skills are more frequently referenced in “computer and mathematical occupations,” especially among high-level roles that also demand bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, employers express concern about a widespread lack of AI literacy and AI ethics — high-order skills that can be secured through targeted college-level training.
Programs that integrate technical literacy with ethical reasoning and applied decision-making — a hallmark of JWU Online’s approach — are especially well-positioned to meet this demand.
Demographic Shifts and Talent Shortages Boost Graduate ROI
Despite clear volatility, there are many bright spots in the current labor market, including accelerating demand for skilled professionals in healthcare, supply chain management, and several information technology (IT) niches. Meanwhile, following an initial pandemic-era surge in retirements, rates are returning to ‘typical’ levels.
Still, a so-called ‘silver tsunami‘ is anticipated as a greater share of the workforce reaches retirement age.
Professionals may be retiring later, but career opportunities are expected to accelerate among younger employees as baby boomers continue to exit the workforce. This could increase demand in fields that currently maintain a comparatively older workforce, such as health services or manufacturing — increasingly complex fields that call for specialized training at the college level.
How Students Can Maximize Degree ROI
While college-centered skepticism could prove harmful if it locks individuals or communities out of economic opportunities, this debate can be reframed to reveal opportunities for better serving students’ needs through higher education. By reimagining how learning is pursued or delivered, we may expand avenues for students and entire communities to access crucial knowledge, skills, and resources.
This discussion can also prove valuable among individual students, who no longer take it at face value the idea that a college education will provide an automatic ticket to prosperity. Instead, aspiring students are cautioned to think strategically about this decision, considering how specific institutions or degrees can support long-term personal, professional, and academic objectives. With this in mind, here are some considerations for maximizing the value of a college degree.
Earning my Public Health degree at JWU Online expanded my ability to think beyond the individual patient and focus on the health of entire communities… I now feel equipped to take on roles that blend data analysis, outreach, and advocacy.
— Reyna Salcedo ’25, B.S. Public Health
Choose Programs Aligned With High-Demand Skills
This need not necessarily involve an exclusive focus on technical competencies. As seen with the previous push for learning how to code, for instance, technical skill requirements can change rapidly in a fast-evolving economy and technical landscape — and the specific abilities showing skyrocketing demand today could prove far less relevant moving forward.
However, certain skills are expected to remain essential in years and decades to come. For example, analytical thinking is desirable because it helps diverse professionals break down complex problems and systematically evaluate evidence or opinions to uncover the best solutions. Other key soft skills include emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication.
In today’s workforce, the ideal college program will integrate in-demand technical competencies with these broader abilities to ensure that graduates are able to quickly adapt as the market continues to change.
Look for Flexible, Career-Focused Learning Models
The traditional campus still holds value, but it’s no longer the only (or even most desirable) option for gaining a well-rounded educational experience. These days, online and hybrid learning formats accommodate learners from all backgrounds — especially working students, who previously struggled to build rigid class times into their busy schedules. Brick-and-mortar limitations have given way to flexible models that help students learn when and where they see fit.
This can be an optimal way to reduce that initial investment while also addressing underlying factors that contribute to the return side of the equation: Online courses limit expenses related to commuting or relocation while opening the door to workplace experiences that, combined with the right credentials, may ultimately accelerate career progression.
JWU Online offered me the ability to complete my degree on a flexible schedule and provided me with all of the same resources available to on-campus students… I leave JWU prepared with the knowledge and skills to be successful in graduate school and in a computer science career.
— Kathleen Campbell ’25, B.S. Computer Science
Evaluate Outcomes, Not Just Costs
Tuition rates warrant attention, but context also matters — and in some cases, early investments can pay higher dividends. This argument remains at the core of the broader question of higher education’s value. After all, it’s still abundantly clear that a degree expands long-term professional opportunities, making it more feasible for graduates to find both stability and satisfaction.
The MBA – Event Leadership program is worth the tuition and the time to earn the degree… earning the MBA has been a rewarding experience for me.
— McKenzie Thibeault ’26, MBA – Event Leadership
Maintain this outcome-focused mindset as you weigh costs against outcomes not only for pursuing a degree in general but also as they relate to specific programs. If all signs suggest that a particular degree will open the door to higher-value opportunities, that early investment may feel more worthwhile.
The Bottom Line: Degrees Still Pay Off — and the Data Is Clear
In an evolving workforce, the value and advantages of higher education persist: well-rounded skill development, credibility, and personal confidence, to name just a few. Data surrounding graduates’ wages, stability, and long-term advancement opportunities suggest that a bachelor’s degree remains a viable pathway to professional success and personal satisfaction.
Being in the program has been a wonderful experience and definitely worth the time and cost. I chose JWU Online for my degree after looking at different options… As I complete the business studies undergraduate degree, I think the value cost-wise for what I am getting out of the program is tremendous.
— Jeffrey Adams ’24, B.S. Business Studies
Why JWU Online Is Built for High-ROI Outcomes
Johnson & Wales University Online is intentionally designed around the very factors that influence degree ROI today: career relevance, flexibility, and applied learning.
Rather than treating higher education as a one-size-fits-all experience, JWU Online focuses on programs that connect academic theory to practical application — preparing graduates to step confidently into today’s workforce and adapt as it continues to evolve.
Key ROI-driven advantages of JWU Online include:
- Industry-aligned degree programs in business, hospitality, technology, health, and leadership fields experiencing sustained employer demand
- Applied, career-focused curricula that emphasize problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world scenarios
- Flexible online learning formats designed for working adults balancing education with professional and personal responsibilities
- A student-centered support model that helps learners persist, complete their degrees, and translate education into career momentum
These elements directly address the concerns fueling skepticism around higher education — from affordability and completion risk to relevance in a rapidly changing job market.
Take the Next Step Toward a High-ROI Future
Prepare to explore new opportunities within a rapidly shifting professional landscape. Offering flexible, industry-aligned degree programs, JWU Online is here to help our valued students develop both personal confidence and in-demand skills. Explore our degree programs or get in touch so you can take the next step.
For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].
Sources:
1https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/cteefall2023-appendix/
