A new report found roughly 30% of college graduates say their degrees did not deliver financial returns, with many carrying $25,000–$50,000 in loans and delaying retirement and homeownership. The survey detailed sector-by-sector disappointments—education and humanities alumni reported the largest shortfalls versus expectations—and flagged that many graduates pursued additional training post‑graduation to compete in the job market. Separately, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein told a podcast that top students from large public universities can be 'at least as good' as Ivy League peers, underscoring employer nuance in assessing credential value. Together the findings underscore mounting pressure on institutions to align credentials with labor-market outcomes and employer expectations.