At one time, decades ago, many employers had a high regard for college as preparation for work. Then, as standards fell and politicization set in, many came to see college experience as something of a negative.

In today’s Martin Center article, Grace Hall looks at some recent surveys on this question, and finds mixed results.

She begins with an upbeat survey by the American Association of Colleges and Universities:

AAC&U released a report in December entitled “The Agility Imperative: How Employers View Preparation for an Uncertain Future,” based on the findings of a survey conducted by Morning Consult in August 2025. The survey found that more than seven in 10 employers believe higher education is worth the financial investment. Moreover, “seventy percent of employers have either ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence in U.S. higher education.”

AAC&U released a report in December entitled “The Agility Imperative: How Employers View Preparation for an Uncertain Future,” based on the findings of a survey conducted by Morning Consult in August 2025. The survey found that more than seven in 10 employers believe higher education is worth the financial investment. Moreover, “seventy percent of employers have either ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence in U.S. higher education.”

Could that be true? After all, AAC&U has a strong interest in putting the best face on the product its members are selling.

Hall points to another survey that’s much less optimistic: “Another survey, by RedBalloon and PublicSquare, found in October 2023 that 83 percent of small business owners believe that college degrees offer little or no value for a job candidate. 89 percent of respondents believe that colleges do not foster free speech and debate or develop critical-thinking skills.”

Young Americans consider their post-secondary options should not be taken in by a smiley face survey. Many colleges offer scant intellectual gain at high cost.

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