Is college worth it? Americans say they value higher education, but it's too expensive for many

• Many Americans say college might not be worth the cost because the economy is rigged in favor of the rich and influential, according to a new poll from USA TODAY and Public Agenda.
• Younger people, who historically have made up the majority of the college-going population, are especially dubious of higher education’s value.
• “No, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to get a good job, but your best shot at a good job is a bachelor’s degree,” said one expert.

Americans on both ends of the political spectrum agree: Earning a bachelor’s degree may help people find good jobs and could improve society, but attending college can be too expensive and time-consuming for working adults. Many say the American economy is rigged in favor of the rich and influential, according to a new poll from USA TODAY and Public Agenda. 

The survey found a little more than half of Americans agree that the benefits of a degree outweigh the costs. Younger people, who historically have made up the majority of the college-going population, are dubious of higher education’s value.