Why all degrees in college are facing a value crisis - Stag Rezscore Insight

Sarah Jenkins April 9, 2026
Why College Degrees Are Losing Their Value

Harvard Study onDegreeValue2025: A new Harvard-backed analysis has revealed that several traditionalcollegedegrees— including business, computer science, and engineering — are rapidly losing their marketvalue.

Examines higher education's changing landscape: rising costs, student debt, and ROI. Explores alternatives and factors influencingcollegedegreevalue.

Harvard researchers highlight a trend they call "degreefatigue," identifying tendegreeswhose long-term returns are softening as automation, AI, and hiring shifts push employers tovaluedemonstrable skills over credentials alone. While these majors still deliver strong initial jobs, mid-career earnings can plateau if graduates don't upskill, build portfolios, or pivot toin-demand ...

Credential is a major proponent of thiscrisis: the moredegreespeople hold, the less any onedegreeseems to matter. The result is a generation that is paying more, working harder, and receiving less security in return. However, more people going to university isn't the only cause of the worsening job market.

The Covid -19 pandemic upended the economy and exacerbated concerns about financial stability in higher education. More recently, falling tuition dollars and the looming enrollment cliff are forcing cuts or closures at many institutions, precisely when students need more support than ever. Those enteringcollegetoday have faced years of erratic schooling and a widespread mental healthcrisis...

AsAI reshapes white-collar work, new research shows that some of the most popular graduatedegreesareactually leaving holders worse off financially.

Higher education is incrisis. Americancollegesand universities face declining enrollment and rising costs. Campuses have become ground zero for the culture war, sparking debates about diversity, equity, and inclusion and free speech.What is thevalueof higher education today, and how cancollegeleaders respond to the crises and controversies on their campuses?

Survey data suggests that prospective learners are being dissuaded fromcollegeby skepticism about whetherdegreesareworth the time and money.

Return on acollegeinvestment: These majors pay the highest premiums A recent survey indicates that a substantial number ofcollegegraduates are questioning thevalueof theirdegrees, citing high costs and uncertain returns. Many feel that their education has not adequately prepared them for the job market, leading to underemployment and debt.