Why do we have college in the twenty first century? Why did we have college in the past? No one has asked theses questions because we have been spoon-fed the same narrative that college is a necessary part of living in society. That if you don’t go to college, you will fail in life. Could it be the opposite, though? Is college the thing holding you back from being in the 1 percent, shackled to the chains of debt, and trapping you in a one-job course?

       In the beginning colleges were institutes of learning and were meant to provide a sense of security for the chosen career of the student, many people back in the old days needed a college degree from either a well known college or a high educational degree to be highly noted and have a well paying job. However, according to Higher Ed Dive by 2031 only 42 percent of jobs will require a college degree or at least a bachelor’s degree.

        Another reason colleges have changed is the price of college has risen exponentially outpacing inflation. This has left many students shackled to debt before they even are done with school, leaving students paying off loans in their adult lives, and restricting them from working a job they actually wanted to pursue. In turn they will live a life they never wanted, working during the day eating dinner then falling asleep to repeat the cycle, while paying for the debt that they have from college.      

         Now colleges are more present online with college sports and sport athletes promoting their college. Many high school seniors choose a college based on popularity or social media presence instead of an institution that will help them learn and gain job experience. With NIL deals, many athletes are simply not choosing a college for academics like in the past. Now they choose a college that can make them money and get them brand deals.

        Prestigious colleges are often gate kept by the elite in our society, as the tuition limits the  number of people who can go. Many colleges have changed from looking at a student’s academic records and now admissions  are dependent on your presence on social media and social brand, as well as your ability to make the college money. 

        The problems with college are wide and many, but still savable. Colleges should evolve and focus back on the interests of their students and their education instead of over prioritizing the social and media aspects of their college. After all, our upcoming students need to be innovators, deep thinkers, and to combat the problems we might face in the future.