A college degree has long been considered a prerequisite for many jobs and is meant to represent a person’s expertise in a field. But, as time goes on, it is becoming increasingly possible not only to land a job without a college degree but also to work for yourself as an entrepreneur.
According to educationdata.org, tuition at public 4-year institutions increased by 36.7% from 2010 to 2023. According to Forbes, this marks a rise higher than that of medical services, child services, and housing. While most students receive financial aid, they only find out how much once they are accepted. College applications can be lengthy and may incur a fee.
In a survey, I collected responses from 27 college graduates and asked whether they thought their degree was worth it for the field in which they currently work. 81.5% thought that their degree was worth it, with one respondent saying, “My degrees have allowed me to sit at tables that would not have been possible without proper credentials.” It’s important to note that some careers require formal degrees and credentials. Fields like medicine, law, and most classroom teaching positions typically mandate at least a bachelor’s degree — and often advanced degrees — because they rely on regulated training and certification.
Another survey respondent said, “While I am thankful for the degrees I earned that allowed me to enter and succeed in a profession that I love to do, I am more thankful for who it inspired me to be. And I like who I have become.”
“I don’t know if it’s necessarily required,” says Maggie Miller, a junior at the University of Georgia, studying risk management and insurance. “But I will say that all of the internships and things I’ve looked at, they have had a degree required along with it.”
According to Intelligent, one in three U.S. companies eliminated bachelor’s degree requirements from some job postings this year. This marks a significant decrease from 2010, when 59% of jobs required postsecondary education. Big companies like Google, Tesla, Apple, and IBM have removed degree requirements for some roles.
In a 2024 report by LinkedIn, “73% of recruiting pros say hiring based on skills is a priority.” In evolving fields like technology, the information learned in school can quickly become outdated, so employers look for skills that show an applicant can adapt to a changing environment.
Another reason for skill-based hiring is the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Diversifying the hiring pool opens the door to applicants who may not have a degree but have acquired skills that will help them in their careers. According to LinkedIn, “When hiring is based on structured skills assessments rather than credentials alone, companies are 5X more likely to hire high performers.”
Diversity in a company has numerous benefits. Innovation is boosted when people from diverse backgrounds come together to generate ideas. A company becomes more reflective of buyers and the market as it diversifies, since people of all backgrounds buy the same essential products. Individual productivity also increases. A study by Josh Bersin, CEO of the Josh Bersin Company and recognized as one of the leading workplace industry analysts in the world, reveals that ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their peers and have 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee over three years.
However, there is still much value in attaining a college degree. Marcus Jones, an air traffic controller, says, “Although I’m not working in the field in which I majored, my degree established critical thinking skills and good study habits that not only helped me get the job I have now, but helps me perform at a high level in the workplace.”
