College Degree Holders: Flat Earnings and Less Learning

George Leef

In today's Pope Center piece, Jenna Ashley Robinson continues examining the case that higher education is a bubble that may burst or at least deflate. Among other evidence she presents, long-term average earnings for individuals with BA degrees have not risen much and the the last few years have dipped. Also, degree holders seem to be learning less, as shown by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy.

Yes, on average, those with college degrees continue to earn more than those without them, but not everyone is average. A large number of marginal students are lured into college, spend much time and money there, but even if they get the degree will find employment in jobs that high school grads can do.

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