Is College Worth It?

Updated From July 2020

Lately, there's been a drastic increase in the number of people freelancing and taking advantage of the gig-economy. Because of this huge shift and inability to find stable employment, many college grads are jumping on board like never before. According to a recent study roughly 70% of college grads do gig work. With many using this new way of working as their primary or supplementary means of making money. So the important question is:

Are College Degrees Still Relevant?

A College Degree Is An Old Idea

All things considered the answer is yes and no. Especially with the new generation of youngsters who are drowning in student loan debt and finding that their degrees are...well...useless. In fact, the unemployment rate for new college grads is more than the overall population in some places like in the U.S. where many are underemployed. In other words, recent grads are working in jobs that require no college degree of any kind. The article The Future of Work Won't Be About College Degrees It Will Be About Job Skills rings true on every level. It was written in 2018 but still relevant seven years later. It's certainly worth the read. 

In fact, some years ago, a study was carried out asking 1000 freelancers about their background.  At least 40% stated that they had a university degree. Proving that freelancing does attract individuals with higher-education. 

Nonetheless, this is the million-dollar question: is the attraction to freelancing/gig economy by degree holders by choice, or is it because earning a college degree isn't all-that it's cracked up to be and finding a traditional job is nearly impossible? 

Many college grads face the dilemma of experience. Many jobs will tell them that they're looking for someone with experience but how will the graduate get experience without a job? 

The job market is evolving due to the advancements in automation and technology which hasn't made things easy. Many claim that AI will eventually take over even white collar jobs but I think a lot of the talk about AI is hype. However, I'll elaborate on that in another blog post.

They Don't Care

Rumor has it that "most employers don’t care what your degree is, they just want to know you have the follow through and commitment to get one.” If that's the case, you may as well study for a degree in The Psychology of Frogs... right?

Well, not so fast. Though it may be difficult to find a position with a degree in The Psychology of Frogs, if you're creative enough you could land a position in something similar such as working with a veterinary establishment or studying wildlife in Antarctica. 

Keep in mind that if you have the right personality, many employers will hire you on that alone. They will be enthused by your optimism, decisiveness, and overall character. And yes, they can pick these traits up on an initial interview. They're trained to look for these things. Additionally, much will simply depend upon how creative and audacious you are.

What Exactly Is A Useless Degree?

Too many students graduate with useless degrees like Medieval History or an MFA in Creative Writing. First I must correct myself. Maybe the word "useless" is a bit harsh because much depends on a person's personality and determination whether their degree comes in handy or not. 

According to the article: 21 Most Useless College Degrees in 2025 - And How to Make Them Worth It a useless degree is determined by the following:

1. Job market demand: How many roles are available for graduates in this field?
2. Starting salaries: What do new graduates typically earn in their first roles?
3. Required specialization: Does the degree alone lead to employment, or is further education (like a master’s or certification) often necessary?

The article also affirms that "opinions vary and degrees in fields such as General Studies, Art History, Music, and Creative Writing are often cited as offering limited direct job prospects without further specialization."

Obtaining a college degree is expensive and many Gen Z-ers (and older) are swamped with tremendous student loan debt. Some have as much as 6 figures of debt. After obtaining their degree and then discovering that it's not worth the paper it's written on, is disheartening indeed. 

What Degrees Are Worth The Grind In 2025

According to the latest research degrees that rank the highest include computer science, nursing, and engineering fields (especially computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering), economics, business administration, and more. 

The write-up 32 Best College Majors to Pursue for 2025: Salary & Job Growth Data provides a lucrative list of college majors that could get you on track to future financial stability.

Freelancing/Gig Work 2025

I'm a degree holder myself. My decision to freelance was more about independence and freedom. Nonetheless, people have various reasons for turning to freelancing and gig work. 

Undoubtedly I'm not against individuals embarking on a  higher-education, but times have vastly changed over the last 10+ plus years. Many jobs are simply not there and many graduates have student loans to pay. It's not a time to sit back and chill. You have to do something and for this reason (and others), many students quit college, or go to a trade school, or after graduating turn to freelancing and gig work for quick cash.   

According to Precision Business Insights the global Gig Economy market size is estimated at $428.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $488.6 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 1.9% from 2025-2031. This represents the total addressable market (TAM) for the Gig Economy, encompassing various sectors like ridesharing, food delivery, and freelance work facilitated by digital platform. 

So to answer the question: do you need a college degree to become a freelancer/gig worker? No...not really but then again whether you need a higher-education degree will depend upon the requirements of your freelance/gig position.  

Final Thoughts

Watch the video below for interesting views on why society is questioning whether college is necessary at all in today's world. 

Asking Millionaires If A College Degree Is 

Necessary To Be Successful