A new NBC News poll found 63% of registered voters now say a four‑year college degree is not worth the cost, up sharply from 47% in 2017. The shift extends even to graduates: only 46% of degree holders now view a four‑year credential as worthwhile versus 63% in 2013. Pollsters Jeff Horwitt and Bill McInturff conducted the survey. Analysts point to rising tuition, student debt, weaker early‑career labor market outcomes and the disruption of entry‑level roles by AI as drivers of skepticism. Separate labor market data from Goldman Sachs show recent‑graduate unemployment and wage premia have narrowed, prompting students to consider vocational pathways and pushing colleges to rework career‑placement claims and ROI messaging.