Full Breakdown
Is College Still Worth It? Rising Tuition, AI Gaps, and Declining Enrollments
9/4/2026, 4:39:43 AM
Core Concerns: Cost, AI Integration, and Enrollment
The commentary argues that the value proposition of a college degree is eroding. It points to soaring tuition—$95,000 per year at George Washington University, room and board included—and a ranking of 59th by U.S. News & World Report as a starting point for negotiations that the author deems “ridiculous.” At the same time, the piece highlights a mismatch between the rapid adoption of artificial-intelligence tools in the job market and the limited incorporation of AI instruction across most university curricula, especially in humanities and law schools.
Financial Pressures on Institutions
According to the author, many colleges face financial strain not only from high tuition but also from “declining enrollments.” Fewer 18-year-olds are choosing to continue formal education, leaving institutions with budget shortfalls that are unlikely to be resolved in the near term.
AI Integration Gap
The article contends that professors across disciplines are uneasy about AI, with some departments actively restricting its use. The author argues that this approach is “doomed to fail” because students often possess greater AI expertise than their instructors, suggesting that faculty should instead teach students how to leverage AI for subject-matter learning.
Immigration Policy Impact
This stance, the author suggests, further reduces the pool of international students who traditionally bolster university enrollment and finances.
Implications for Prospective Students
Taken together, the high cost, limited AI curriculum, and tighter visa rules create a landscape where prospective students must weigh the financial burden against uncertain returns. The author concludes that, without systemic changes in tuition pricing, AI education, and immigration policy, the traditional college model may no longer represent a clear path to economic security.
