New analysis from a UK think tank found some 707,000 graduates aged 16–64 were out of work and claiming benefits in 2024, a 46% rise since 2019, prompting renewed debate over the balance between vocational training and university expansion. At the same time, evidence‑based student‑success models such as CUNY’s ASAP show doubled graduation rates but come with significant per‑student costs that many institutions cannot absorb. Policymakers and campus leaders are weighing program replication, stackable credentials and targeted supports to improve outcomes while managing tight budgets.