Gen Z doubts college, but data shows degrees still shield workers from unemployment

Despite Gen Z’s skepticism about higher education, two decades of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show graduates—especially bachelor’s degree holders—remain the least likely to be unemployed and earn more on average than those without a degree. The degree advantage persists since 2006, even as many graduates feel underemployed and burdened by debt, while some hiring practices hint at removing degree requirements—but in practice, degrees still influence hiring and career outcomes.