Is It Just Me? Or Is the Whole College Thing Kinda BS?
You’re not alone if you’ve ever stared at your tuition bill, scrolled through job listings that demand five years of experience for entry-level roles, or watched a TikTok influencer brag about their six-figure dropshipping empire—all while wondering, “Why am I even here?” The college experience, once hailed as the golden ticket to success, now feels like a confusing maze where the finish line keeps moving. Let’s unpack why so many people are questioning the value of traditional higher education and whether those doubts are justified.
The Rising Tide of Doubt
For decades, society sold college as a non-negotiable step toward financial stability and personal growth. But today, skyrocketing tuition costs, crushing student debt, and stories of graduates stuck in underpaid gigs have eroded that narrative. The average U.S. college student graduates with $30,000 in loans, yet nearly 40% of bachelor’s degree holders work jobs that don’t require their education. Meanwhile, tech certifications, freelance careers, and entrepreneurial ventures are booming—no four-year degree required.
The disconnect is glaring. Why pay $100,000+ for a degree when YouTube tutorials, online bootcamps, and LinkedIn Learning exist? Why sit through general education classes that feel irrelevant when you could be gaining hands-on skills? For many, college feels less like an investment and more like a gamble with questionable returns.
The Case for College (Yes, Really)
Before we write off higher ed entirely, let’s acknowledge its strengths. College isn’t just about textbooks and exams. It’s a social laboratory where you learn to collaborate, debate ideas, and navigate diverse perspectives. For fields like medicine, law, or engineering, degrees remain non-negotiable gatekeepers. Even in tech, while coding bootcamps produce talented developers, many leadership roles still favor candidates with formal credentials.
Networking also plays a huge role. Campuses host career fairs, alumni connections, and internships that open doors difficult to access otherwise. And let’s not underestimate the intangible growth: living independently, managing deadlines, and discovering passions you never knew existed. For some, these experiences are transformative.
Where the System Feels Broken
The problem isn’t college itself—it’s how the system has failed to adapt. Here’s where the frustration festers:
1. Outdated Curriculum: Many programs teach theories that haven’t caught up to industry trends. A marketing major might study print ads while brands pivot to TikTok algorithms.
2. One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Not everyone thrives in lecture halls. Creative thinkers, hands-on learners, and late bloomers often feel stifled by rigid academic structures.
3. The Debt Trap: Borrowing $50k for a degree in a low-paying field can shackle graduates for decades. The pressure to “just pick a major” leads many to prioritize speed over passion.
4. Degree Inflation: Employers now demand bachelor’s degrees for roles that previously required high school diplomas, devaluing both the credential and the workforce.
These issues leave students feeling cheated. As one Reddit user put it: “I did everything ‘right’—honors classes, internships, networking. Now I’m $40k in debt and applying to Starbucks.”
Alternatives Gaining Momentum
Critics of traditional college aren’t just complaining—they’re building alternatives. Trade schools, apprenticeships, and certification programs are thriving. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians often out-earn office workers without the debt burden. Coding bootcamps like General Assembly and Flatiron School promise job-ready skills in months, not years.
Then there’s the rise of “self-made” culture. Platforms like Shopify, YouTube, and Fiverr empower people to monetize skills without formal training. The narrative of the college dropout-turned-CEO (think Zuckerberg or Jobs) fuels the belief that hustle trumps homework.
Even academia is shifting. Micro-credentials, online degrees, and competency-based programs let learners tailor education to their goals. Want to learn AI? Coursera offers Ivy League courses for a fraction of the cost.
So… Is College Worth It?
The answer depends on three questions:
1. What’s Your Why?
If you’re pursuing a field that requires licensure (e.g., nursing, architecture), college is essential. If you’re drawn to academia or research, it’s your playground. But if you’re unsure or chasing a vague notion of “success,” pause. Explore community college, gap years, or job shadowing first.
2. Can You Afford the ROI?
Calculate potential student debt vs. expected earnings in your field. A teaching degree with $80k in loans? Risky. An engineering degree with starting salaries over $70k? More defensible.
3. Do You Thrive in Structured Environments?
College demands self-discipline, adaptability, and resilience. If you learn better through experimentation or real-world projects, alternative paths might suit you.
The Bottom Line
College isn’t inherently “BS”—it’s a tool. And like any tool, its value depends on how you use it. The real issue is the pressure to treat it as the only tool. We need to normalize diverse paths to success: trades, entrepreneurship, self-education, and yes, degrees.
If you’re questioning the system, you’re part of a generation redefining what education means. Whether you choose college, a coding bootcamp, or a totally unconventional route, the goal isn’t to check a box—it’s to build a life that feels authentic and sustainable. And that’s anything but BS.
Please indicate: Thinking In Educating » Is It Just Me