New research reveals a troubling shift in the traditional advantages of higher education, with recent college graduates seeing a significant narrowing of their earnings gap over high school peers. While the salary premium for degree holders still exists, it has shrunk substantially compared to past trends, raising questions about the long-term value of a bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, unemployment rates among young graduates have risen, adding to concerns over job market competitiveness for those with advanced credentials. The findings suggest a growing disconnect between educational attainment and economic outcomes for recent alumni.
Break out the caps — and frowns. Benefits of higher education appear to be waning as salary premiums shrank and unemployment among young graduates climbed in recent years, according to shocking new figures. Recent American college grads earned 50% more than contemporaries who only held high school diplomas in 2025, according to numbers from the...
