Public opinion in the UK shows sharply higher skepticism about whether university degrees are worth the time and money, with a British Social Attitudes survey finding the share of people who hold that view rising to 34% in 2025. The findings also track declining belief that graduates are “a lot better off” in the long run. The survey results are tied to student loan experiences under the fee system and heightened concerns about mounting debt and AI-driven uncertainty about graduate job prospects. Separately, an ongoing inquiry by MPs into student loans in England is beginning to take evidence from student groups and experts. For higher education leaders, the shift signals increased reputational risk in admissions messaging and stronger pressure to document outcomes, affordability protections, and labor-market alignment.