New research highlights a growing segment of young men who do not view college as a good fit, citing uncertainty about value, social belonging, and the risk of debt. Public Agenda’s survey and focus groups capture men ages 18 to 34 reporting that they see trade school and bachelor’s degrees as having similar market value and that colleges may be designed to benefit women more than men. The reporting also points to disaffection and loneliness in focus groups, alongside concerns that conservative students may not feel welcome on campuses. For enrollment managers, the findings suggest that messaging and student-support design may need to address both economic uncertainty and campus climate perceptions. In policy terms, the data adds to the affordability conversation by stressing that skepticism is not limited to sticker price—it reflects uncertainty about outcomes, belonging, and who can help prospective students decide.