Is College Still Worth It? Minnesota Students Weigh Cost, Debt, and Career Outcomes
As students step away from classes during winter break, many are reconsidering the value of college. Rising tuition, growing student debt, mental health pressures, and uncertain career outcomes are shaping how Minnesota students view higher education, with some questioning whether a four-year degree still guarantees stability or opportunity.
Students reconsider as tuition costs rise
As students take a break from lecture halls and coursework for winter break, some are using the time to rest, while others reflect on whether college is still worth it.
With rising tuition costs, growing debt, and an uncertain job market, students across Minnesota are reevaluating the value of higher education. A recent survey conducted by this reporter found that while most college students still believe in the power of education, their support is increasingly shaped by tuition costs, mental health, and career outcomes.
Lou Tichy, a second-year student at the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts, said pursuing college felt like the natural next step after high school, especially after the Northstar Promise.
“When the Northstar Promise was announced, I realized I could pursue my dreams of being a teacher without worrying about money,” Tichy said. Launched in 2024 the The North Star Promise Scholarship Program offers free college tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Minnesota residents attending public or Tribal colleges in the state. It covers tuition and fees remaining after other gift aid is applied.
Concerns about the broader political climate also influence how Tichy views higher education.
“I worry about the current administration’s view of the necessity of teaching, especially in the arts,” Tichy said. “It’s disheartening to see people, even in STEM, getting degrees and barely able to get jobs outside of food service.”
Other students express deeper concerns about pursuing postsecondary education. Lene Olmanson, a University of Minnesota student graduating in 2028, said family pressure influenced her decision to attend college.
Asked if college feels worth it so far, Olmanson said, “Honestly, no. I serve at a fine-dining restaurant where I make more money than I would working in the career I’m pursuing. It feels silly to spend so much money on school and have to work the whole time just to end up in a career that won’t pay as much as I make now.”
Still, Olmanson worries that a four-year degree may not guarantee long-term stability. “I worry that my four years of education won’t be enough to get a good-paying job and that I won’t be able to find work when I’m done,” she said.
Experts note that while most Americans still see value in higher education, the idea of college as essential has weakened over the past decade. According to a September 2025 Gallup report, 35% of U.S. adults say a college education is “very important,” down from 53% in 2019 and 75% in 2010. Another 40% consider it “fairly important,” while 24% say it’s “not important.”
Victoria Carroll, a student at the University of St. Thomas, shared a different perspective. “My drive in pursuing higher education is to fulfill a career in a field I’ve always been interested in,” Carroll said.
She added that the challenges of college help prepare her for the future: “Work ethic and concentration! The curriculum is one thing, but the long nights and early mornings on top of assignments and studying are the biggest preparation for what lies ahead.”
For Kayla Wahogo, a first-year student at Saint Paul College, her decision to attend college was tied to career goals and financial realities. “Money and wanting to be in the medical field,” Wahogo said.
She explained that schooling is essential for her desired career: “In order to be in the medical field, you need education.” So far, she said college feels worthwhile because of the knowledge she is gaining.
Affordability, however, remains a concern. “No longer being able to afford it worries me,” Wahogo said. “Community college isn’t expensive, but transferring to a university will be. With financial aid becoming harder to get and limits on certain graduate programs, it’s harder for the average person to get the education they need.”
Ali Osman, a licensed school counselor at South High School, said students are no longer automatically assuming college is the next step. “The vast majority of my students have developed concrete plans for their futures,” Osman said.
“Students are being more intentional about their choices. They’re thinking critically about what they want to study and how college fits into their long-term goals.”
Osman said students are researching programs, comparing institutions, and considering how different pathways align with their career ambitions. At the same time, interest in alternative pathways has grown.
“There’s been a real surge in interest around skilled trades and certificate programs, which reflects a more mature understanding of career pathways,” Osman said. Students are exploring careers in welding, HVAC, electrical work, plumbing, cosmetology, and health care certifications such as CNA or medical assisting. Many are drawn to the opportunity to enter the workforce quickly and avoid long-term debt.
“I think there’s also less stigma around trades than there used to be,” Osman said. “Students and families are increasingly viewing these as viable, respectable career paths rather than backup options.”
As winter break ends and students return to classes, many are doing so with a clearer, though more complicated, understanding of what college means. For some, it remains a necessary path to their goals. For others, it is one option among many, weighed against cost, mental health, and long-term stability.
Lizzy Nyoike is a student at the Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication.