Two national pieces of reporting show public and graduate sentiment turning sharply against the economic value of a four‑year degree. An NBC News survey found just 33% of registered voters now say a four‑year college degree is worth the cost; separate coverage documents how even many college graduates have shifted against the value proposition amid rising tuition and uncertain early‑career returns. Pollsters and analysts cited partisan divides—the decline is steeper among Republican respondents—but the trend spans parties and education levels. Reporters linked the outlook to rising student debt, sluggish entry‑level hiring, and employer demand for AI and technical skills that are sometimes acquired outside traditional degree paths. For higher education leaders, these shifts have practical consequences for recruitment, program design and affordability strategies: declining public confidence is likely to pressure enrollment, state funding debates and calls for vocational and short‑cycle credentialing.