American university system faces questions over AI and college’s future value
Updated
Updated · The New Yorker · May 5
American university system faces questions over AI and college’s future value
9 articles · Updated · The New Yorker · May 5
The article cites 2025 Gallup data showing only 35% of Americans aged 18-34 see college as very important, down from 74% in 2013 and 43% in 2019.
It argues AI will not by itself destroy college but will deepen disillusionment over high tuition, weak job matching and credentialism, even as elite and flagship universities are expected to endure.
The piece suggests smaller colleges could disappear in a winner-takes-all shakeout, while students increasingly weigh cheaper credentials and AI-assisted self-learning against traditional four-year degrees.
With AI automating entry-level jobs, is a traditional degree becoming an obsolete gamble for the middle class?
Is higher education splitting into two tiers: an elite experience for the rich and online credentials for everyone else?
When knowledge is free and skills can be offloaded to AI, what unique value can universities justify charging for?
Higher Education at the AI Tipping Point: Integrity, Skills, and Survival Strategies for 2026 and Beyond
Overview
In May 2026, higher education stands at a crossroads, facing a major shift in how people view the value of a college degree. As AI tools rapidly enter classrooms, concerns about academic integrity and student anxiety are rising. Many now believe that real skills and experiences matter more than just having a diploma, and fewer graduates see college as very important. With skepticism growing, universities must prove their relevance by adapting to these changes and focusing on what truly prepares students for an AI-driven world.