How College Destroyed The Labor Market

The promise of a college degree once symbolized the golden ticket to upward mobility, better-paying jobs, and long-term career stability. However, over the past few decades, the relationship between higher education and the job market has drastically changed. With rising student debt, a saturated labor force, and increasing rates of underemployment and unemployment, many now ask the critical question: Is college worth it?

Historically, earning a college degree was associated with specialized knowledge and guaranteed access to better job opportunities. However, as more people began pursuing higher education, the market became oversaturated with degrees, diluting their value. What used to be an advantage has turned into a requirement for even entry-level positions, many of which did not traditionally demand a degree.

In fact, according to a study by Harvard Business School, 67% of production supervisor roles require a college degree, yet only 16% of those currently employed in those roles have one. This illustrates the widening gap between degree requirements and the actual skills needed for many jobs. Additionally, many industries now favor outsourcing and automation, reducing the number of available positions for graduates, further eroding the labor market.

With the increasing emphasis on higher education, one would expect the labor market to reward those with degrees. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Over 50% of recent graduates find themselves underemployed—working in jobs that don’t require a degree—while 39% of hiring managers admit they avoid hiring recent grads despite their qualifications. This begs the question: Is college still the gateway to the American Dream?

For many, the answer is no. While a college education may open doors for some, it often leaves graduates saddled with overwhelming student debt and without the skills necessary to thrive in today’s evolving labor market. Worse still, many graduates find themselves competing for jobs that are either highly specialized or low-paying, leaving them ghosted by the very system that once promised them stability.

The growing disparity between the number of college graduates and the actual demand for degree-holders in the workforce has increasingly shifted attention toward *trade careers*. Many are now asking, *do trade careers offer higher earning potential than traditional, degree-based jobs*? The answer might be more complex than anticipated. Skilled trades, such as electricians, plumbers, and mechanics, frequently offer competitive wages and high earning potential—often without the financial burden associated with student loans.

In contrast to the escalating costs of higher education, trade programs offer hands-on training, typically at a fraction of the price. As a result, skilled tradespeople can often enter the workforce sooner and begin earning substantial middle-class incomes. Furthermore, many trade careers present clear pathways for advancement, allowing for increased earnings and job stability. With growing demand for skilled labor in sectors like construction, automotive services, and electrical work, these fields offer strong prospects, making them an appealing alternative to traditional college degrees in today’s competitive labor market.

While a college degree still holds value in certain sectors, the broader job market suggests that its importance may be waning. The pressure to earn a degree, coupled with the rising cost of higher education, has created an unsustainable system. As more students face underemployment, ballooning debt, and an increasingly competitive job market, it's time to reassess whether college is the right path for everyone.

#jobseekers #financialeducation #financialfreedom

0:00 Intro
0:26 Why College Was Not Needed For American Workers
2:01 How Abraham Lincoln Paved The Way For American Universities
3:03 How The GI Bill Instilled College Into American Workers
3:20 When A Degree Did Mean Economic Mobility
5:09 The Downfall Of American Universities (Lyndon B Johnson)
6:27 How The Vietnam Forever Changed College And The Labor Market
7:09 How Ronald Reagan Completely Destroyed American Education
8:53 Why Blue Collar Jobs Started Getting Looked Down On
9:56 Why Companies Started Demanding College Degrees
11:01 Why The Federal Government Halted Training Programs
12:29 Why Employers Purposely DONT Hire College Graduates
14:31 Why Vocational Schooling Must Become A Societal Priority

Titles for the Algo!
How College Destroyed The Labor Market
How Student Loans Destroyed The Labor Market
How Student Loans Broke The Labor Market
How College Broke The Job Market
Why A College Degree Is No Longer Worth It