American dream : For many years, the path to success in the United States followed a predictable pattern: study hard, get into a good college, graduate, and get a stable, high-paying job. It was the promise that inspired generations and served as the foundation of the American dream. However, for Generation Z, that dream is beginning to appear like an old myth.
According to recent Pew Research Center statistics, 7 out of 10 Americans say the country’s higher education system is headed in the wrong path, up from 56% in 2020. The growing unhappiness crosses political lines, with 77% of Republicans and 65% of Democrats expressing similar skepticism. Rising tuition expenses, mounting student debt, and a shortage of entry-level jobs have led many young Americans to doubt whether a college education is still worthwhile.
American dream : Who is to blame for the broken promises?
Much of the frustration is focused at universities. Critics argue that although institutions continue to raise tuition, they have failed to provide students with the skills required to succeed in today’s job market. According to a Pew survey, 55% of Americans believe colleges do a bad job of preparing students for well-paying professions, while more than half believe institutions fall short of offering adequate financial support or developing practical problem-solving skills.
The economic consequences are evident. According to a Newsweek poll, the average Gen Zer has more over $94,000 in personal debt, which is far higher than the debt levels of millennials and Generation X at similar ages. Earlier this year, the same generation experienced the greatest annual loss in credit scores since 2020, with an average of 676, roughly 40 points lower than the national average.
Universities, on the other hand, contend that government meddling exacerbates the situation. Earlier this month, the Trump administration issued a paper titled “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” to nine top universities, including Brown, Dartmouth, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Virginia, and Vanderbilt. The statement requested that institutions agree with conservative ideas or face losing government funds. Among its proposals are a ban on gender or race discrimination in admissions, free tuition for students in the “hard sciences,” and a limit on international undergraduate enrollment.
Some colleges have resisted, with Harvard apparently taking the policy to court. Others have experienced political consequences; the president of the University of Virginia resigned, while Brown and Columbia reached agreements with the White House. Universities warn that such regulations may jeopardize academic independence, but public faith in higher education continues to deteriorate.
Tuition rises as jobs go.
While the discussion about political influence continues, the underlying issue is economic. Tuition continues to rise, even as the return on investment falls. Many students graduate into an economy where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly automating entry-level professions that were once used as stepping stones to professional employment.
According to Fortune, roughly 58% of recent college graduates in the United States were still looking for secure employment months after earning their degrees, more than doubling the percentage seen by millennials or Gen Xers at the same period. According to data from venture capital firm SignalFire, hiring for new graduates among the 15 largest technology companies has decreased by more than 50% since 2019.
These pressures have spawned a discreet yet increasing rebellion. Instead of going the traditional white-collar route, more Gen Zers are choosing to trade and vocational occupations, which were traditionally regarded as “blue-collar.”
New definition of success
For Generation Z, the American ideal is no longer defined by a single path of university degrees and corporate ladders. Instead, it is morphing into a mosaic of entrepreneurship, specialized trades, and self-directed careers that prioritize stability and autonomy over status.
Higher education in America, once synonymous with opportunity, is now in the process of being recalibrated. Universities face an existential challenge: demonstrating their relevance in a society where college no longer guarantees success. Until then, the country’s youngest workers appear to be ready to forge their own path, which may redefine the dream that their parents once believed in.
you join our whatsapp channel
you join our tazatimesnews Telegram Channel
you join our tazatimesnews truthsocial.com Channel
