I wonder how much of this is down to AI? Maybe not much yet. Concerns about it and employment have only started going mainstream in the 2020s. That suggests there is more decline ahead for people’s regard for the worth of college education.
It’s striking how much opinions differ according to politics. 39% of Republicans rate college as “Not too important”, versus 9% of Democrats who feel the same way. The article wonders if the perceived left-wing bias of colleges is to blame. But if right-wing people desert colleges, won’t that just make them more left-wing? The student body certainly will be, and that’s where the future staff members come from.
Also, if you’re reasonably smart and self-motivated the 21st century world abounds with the materials to let you learn much of what you would in college. Not specialized learning maybe, but for generalized learning, yes.
https://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses