AMERICAN NIGHTMARE? The belief that higher education is the path to to achieving the “American Dream” appears to be wavering, according to a recent study by the think tank New America. According to the study, 78 percent of Americans believe “it’s easier to be successful with a college degree,” and only a quarter think higher education is "fine" the way it is.
The survey also found that a majority of Americans believe it’s more challenging today to find a well-paying job (59 percent) than it was for their parents’ generation. The survey also shows that 64 percent of respondents think it's more difficult now to be able to afford a family.
“Today’s economic reality is that having some type of education beyond high school is critical to getting a well-paying job,” Amy Laitinen, director of higher education at New America, said in a press announcement. However, the report reads, “the results show that people are aware that the American Dream is increasingly out of reach.”