The number of Americans who think a college education
is mandatory is on the decline. According to a survey from the nonpartisan organization Public Agenda, just 42% of respondents said
they needed college for workforce success, a 13% drop since 2009.
Conversely, 57% said there were many ways to succeed
without college, an increase of 14% over the last seven years. The study also
reported that 46% of respondents said college was a questionable investment
because of high loans and limited job opportunities.
Around
two-thirds said many people are qualified for college but don’t have the
opportunity. In addition, 59% said colleges are more concerned with the bottom
line and just 34% said they believed schools cared most about education and
students.