Education

Is a Four-Year College Degree Still Worth the Price?

By October 7, 2026No Comments

Is a Four-Year College Degree Still Worth the Price?

By Keri D. Ingraham
(Used with permission. Originally published at Independent Women)

With some American colleges charging $100,000 a year, families are right to ask a basic question: What are we actually getting for that price?

A college degree can be tremendously valuable, but a prestigious name and an astronomical price tag do not guarantee a strong education, a meaningful career, or a successful future. Parents and students should look beyond rankings and historic reputation and ask about graduation rates, career outcomes, debt, and return on investment. The goal is not simply to get a degree. The goal is to be prepared to succeed.

For too long, America has treated a four-year college degree as the default next step after high school. It shouldn’t be. Some students will thrive at a four-year university, while others will be better served by a community college, apprenticeship, technical program, industry credential, or another direct pathway into a high-demand career.

Whether a student chooses a university, technical school, apprenticeship, or another pathway, the goal should be the same: effectively equipping students with the knowledge and skills to succeed.

Keri D. Ingraham

We need to stop measuring success by whether a student goes to college and start measuring it by whether that student has the knowledge and skills to build a productive, fulfilling life, and contribute to society and the workforce.

Higher education must be accountable to the students and families footing the bill. With college costs reaching staggering levels, universities should focus on academic excellence and preparing students for success, not on programs with misplaced priorities that incur expenses, driving up prices without improving outcomes.

That same accountability must begin in K–12 education. America cannot remain globally competitive when the majority of public education students cannot read or perform math at grade level.

We need a hard reset in American education that restores academic excellence, empowers parents, expands education freedom, and strengthens pathways to meaningful careers.

Whether a student chooses a university, technical school, apprenticeship, or another pathway, the goal should be the same: effectively equipping students with the knowledge and skills to succeed.

Click HERE to watch Keri D. Ingraham’s interview on Newsmax National Update or click the image below.

Keri D. Ingraham is a Contributor and Advisor for Influential Women’s Forum.

Keri D. Ingraham

Keri D. Ingraham

Dr. Keri D. Ingraham is a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute and Director of the Institute’s American Center for Transforming Education. She is also a Senior Fellow at Independent Women. Dr. Ingraham is a regularly requested guest for national television and podcast interviews, as well as for conference and event speaking engagements. Her articles have been published by The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, The Washington Post, The Federalist, The Washington Times, The Epoch Times, Washington Examiner, The Daily Wire, Real Clear Education, The Daily Signal, National Review, The American Spectator, Daily Caller, and a host of other media outlets. Her work has been featured by Fox News, referenced in The Wall Street Journal, and cited in countless publications. Dr. Ingraham has received several invitations to the White House, is a featured speaker in a White House video, and is quoted on the White House website. She has advised Cabinet Members, Governors, and Members of the U.S. Congress. Prior to joining Discovery Institute, Dr. Ingraham spent nearly two decades leading within the field of education as a national consultant, requested conference speaker, head of school, virtual and hybrid academy director, administrator, classroom teacher, and athletic coach. She holds a Doctor of Education degree and a Master of Education degree from Regent University. Her Bachelor of Arts degree was awarded by George Fox University, where she was named an Academic All-American and was a four-year athletic team member. In addition, Dr. Ingraham earned an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Professional Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the Stanford University School of Engineering.