College Students See the Value in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Analysis
By Dawn LaGuerre
The majority of college students expect their credentials to help them make enough money to live comfortably, according to recent findings from the Lumina Foundation-Gallup 2025 State of Higher Education Study. This comprehensive survey reveals that despite rising costs and ongoing debates about the return on investment, students continue to see significant value in pursuing higher education.
Strong Belief in Higher Education’s Value
Nearly 95% of surveyed college students view at least one type of degree or higher education credential as very or extremely valuable, according to the Gallup and Lumina Foundation research released in May 2025. This overwhelming endorsement extends beyond current students, with 93% of former students who had stopped out sharing similar positive perceptions.
The study, which surveyed nearly 14,000 adults aged 18 to 59 in October 2024, provides one of the most comprehensive looks at how Americans view higher education today. Participants included 6,000 currently enrolled students, nearly 5,000 people with some college but no degree, and 3,000 adults who have never enrolled in a college program.
“That so many adults without a degree or credential continue to value some form of education after high school likely relates to the influence they believe higher education, and particularly degrees, can have on career outcomes,” the report states.
Financial Confidence Remains Strong
Perhaps most striking is students’ confidence in the financial returns of their educational investment. Nearly nine out of ten students (86%) reported being confident or very confident that their degree or credential would help them make enough money to live comfortably.
This financial optimism varies slightly by program type but remains consistently high across the board:
- 91% of bachelor’s degree students feel confident their diplomas will teach them the skills needed for their desired jobs
- 89% of associate degree students share this confidence
- 86% of certificate program students believe in the value of their credentials
These findings come at a critical time when public discourse often questions whether college is “worth it” amid rising tuition costs and student debt concerns.
Renewed Interest in Traditional Degrees
While certificate programs and industry certifications have gained popularity in recent years, the latest data shows a renewed interest in traditional degree pathways. According to the study, 24% of unenrolled adults have considered pursuing an associate degree and 18% have considered a bachelor’s degree in the past two years.
This trend aligns with broader enrollment patterns. Undergraduate enrollment has rebounded to nearly 16 million students—just 1% below pre-pandemic levels—with a 4.7% increase in fall 2024. Associate and bachelor’s degree programs saw enrollment increases of 6.3% and 2.9% respectively.
Zach Hrynowski, a senior researcher at Gallup, noted that while Americans may express less confidence in higher education institutions themselves, they still strongly believe in “the actual product that they receive from it.”
“If people think it’s valuable, they’re going to still go after it,” Hrynowski explained. “They may hem and haw, say, ‘Is this really worth it? Do I have the money? Why can’t I surmount the barriers?’ But we haven’t seen a widespread exodus away from higher education as a result of that, and that’s a testimony to the belief and the value of the credential itself.”
Persistent Challenges and Barriers
Despite this positive outlook, the path through higher education isn’t without obstacles. About a third of current college students (32%) reported considering dropping out in the past six months—a figure that, while concerning, has improved from 41% in 2022.
The primary reasons students consider leaving include:
- Emotional stress (49%)
- Personal mental health challenges (41%)
- Cost concerns (24%)
- Feeling a lack of belonging (24%)
For those not currently enrolled, barriers to entry include the cost of credentials, mental health challenges, emotional stress, and class flexibility issues, particularly for rural students and caregivers.
Implications for Higher Education’s Future
These findings have significant implications as colleges face the approaching “demographic cliff”—the projected decline in high school graduates after 2025. Many institutions are already reevaluating their enrollment strategies to attract non-traditional students.
The survey offers encouraging news on this front: 34% of adults who have never attended college said they were likely or very likely to pursue higher education in the next five years. That figure jumps to 57% among former students who had stopped out before completing their degrees.
Overall, 48% of adults not currently enrolled in college indicated they are either very likely or likely to enroll in a postsecondary program in the next five years.
The Value Proposition Remains Strong
Across all groups surveyed, 72% of respondents said a two- or four-year degree is just as important—or even more so—to career success today than it was two decades ago. This persistent belief in education’s value exists despite widespread concerns about college affordability.
“The consistent link between perceived value and career outcomes underscores the importance of affordability, flexibility and student support—especially for those balancing work, caregiving or mental health struggles,” the report concludes. “To sustain this momentum and close remaining gaps, higher education institutions and policymakers will need to focus on removing barriers and reinforcing the connection between credentials and meaningful, well-paying jobs.”
As higher education continues to evolve, these findings suggest that Americans still see college as a pathway to economic mobility and career success—even as they demand more value, flexibility, and support from the institutions that serve them.
