It's Been a Minute

People say college doesn't matter. They're right and wrong.


Listen Later

Does a college degree get you anything these days? Some people say no, but the reality is far more complicated. 

About 19 million people are going to college right now. But one recent poll from Gallup shows that the percentage of Americans who view college as very important is at an all time low, dropping from 75% in 2010 to 35% now. Those who say it's not very important increased from 4% to 24% in the same time period. This is a pretty dramatic change that goes beyond ballooning costs.

Brittany chats with Elissa Nadworny, an education correspondent for NPR, and Kathryn Palmer, reporter for Inside Higher Ed, to get into what’s behind this changing perception – what politics has to do with it – and whether college is still worth it.

(0:00) Is going to college still beneficial?
(2:04) What's behind people thinking a college degree isn't necessary?
(7:54) Why colleges should be responsible for their students's success
(10:23) Why Republicans benefit from college but still discredit it
(16:39) 'Wait WHAT?!': Trivia about the poppiest moments from last week
(21:22) Responding to your comments :)

Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluse

For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

It's Been a MinuteBy NPR

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

8,896 ratings


More shows like It's Been a Minute

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

91,048 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,475 Listeners

The NPR Politics Podcast by NPR

The NPR Politics Podcast

25,868 Listeners

Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

11,523 Listeners

Death, Sex & Money by Slate Podcasts

Death, Sex & Money

7,740 Listeners

Code Switch by NPR

Code Switch

14,634 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,802 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,508 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

10,287 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

16,240 Listeners

Consider This from NPR by NPR

Consider This from NPR

6,404 Listeners

ICYMI by Slate Podcasts

ICYMI

723 Listeners

Vibe Check by Zach Stafford, Saeed Jones, Sam Sanders

Vibe Check

1,769 Listeners

Culture Study Podcast by Anne Helen Petersen

Culture Study Podcast

702 Listeners

The Sam Sanders Show by KCRW & Sam Sanders

The Sam Sanders Show

588 Listeners