New survey finds that more than half of Americans agree that public colleges should eliminate degree programs that can be considered "low-value"
SEATTLE, Oct. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has recently published its findings from a survey of 1,500 Americans. In this survey, researchers sought to gain a better understanding of how the American public views degree programs that do not typically lead to high-paying jobs, despite their cultural value.
Of the total 1,500 respondents surveyed, 25% said that they believe public colleges should stop offering all low-paying degree programs, while 26% would like them to stop offering some low-paying degrees. Gender studies (38%), art history (30%), religious studies (20%), and ethnic studies (19%) were at the top of respondents' lists of degrees they'd like to see colleges stop offering.
There are just a few areas of study that Americans agree are necessary for students to pursue, even if they do tend to lead to low-paying jobs. The degrees that the fewest number of respondents chose to eliminate included teaching (5%), psychology (5%), and social work (7%).
When asked why they believe that colleges should stop offering certain degree programs, 56% of respondents said they are a waste of students' money, 46% say these programs take advantage of students, and 38% said it is better for society if students study more practical fields.
Additionally, more than four in ten respondents agree in most or all cases that students in low-paying degree programs shouldn't qualify for federal financial aid. 54% of this group say this is because these students are unlikely to repay any loans they receive, and 50% say it's a waste of federal dollars.
For the full results of the survey, please visit Intelligent.com at https://www.intelligent.com/low-value-degrees/.
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Heidi Thiel, Intelligent.com, (800) 203-5102, [email protected]
SOURCE Intelligent.com
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