A new NBC News poll found 63% of registered voters agree a four‑year degree is "not worth the cost," a sharp shift since 2013 when only 40% held that view. The reversal spans partisan lines and includes many degree holders; the change intensifies pressure on colleges to justify tuition, graduate outcomes and career preparation. Higher‑education leaders, career‑services offices and state policymakers may face growing calls to expand vocational pathways, strengthen employer partnerships and reevaluate pricing and credential models. Analysts note the finding coincides with weakening entry‑level job markets for recent graduates and debates over the role of AI in eliminating junior positions.