The Real Reason Gen Z is Ditching College
I skipped college five years ago to avoid a life of debt.
At the time, it wasn’t common for high-performing students to opt out of college. I often doubted my decision but, thankfully, I had an adolescent God complex that pushed me through.
Since then, a staggering number of my Gen Z peers have also chosen to ditch the higher education system.
This is a far cry from the College-or-Bust culture of pre-pandemic America, where nearly 70% of high school graduates went on to pursue a bachelors degree.
Why the sudden shift?
As of 2024, the average cost of college in the U.S. is $38,270/year — more than double what it was just ten years ago.
More alarmingly, the Department of Education recently announced a historic increase in student loan interest rates up from 5.5% to 6.53% for the 2024–25 school year.
I’m no mathematician, but here’s what ChatGPT had to say:
After four years accruing interest at 6.53%, the total amount owed will be approximately $179,756.15.
With a standard 10-year repayment plan…
