A Nexford University–linked survey found roughly 30% of college graduates report their degrees did not deliver expected financial returns. Respondents said many entered college expecting entry salaries near $52,000 but landed median starting pay closer to $35,000; a sizable share carry $25,000–$50,000 in student loans and one quarter owe more than $50,000. The report highlights delayed milestones—first homes and retirement savings—caused by sustained loan burdens. The data singled out professions with the widest gaps between expectation and reality: law, education and arts graduates reported the largest shortfalls. Nearly one-third of respondents said debt forced them to postpone saving for retirement by about a decade. Higher-education leaders and career-services teams should note the pressure on program value messaging and alumni outcomes reporting, and reassess employer engagement and curricular alignment with market needs. For financial-aid officers and provosts, the finding sharpens focus on transparent outcomes metrics and on-the-job upskilling pathways that reduce time-to-earnings. Admissions teams may face tougher recruiting conversations as prospective students weigh tuition against measurable return on investment.