#130: Did We Get Scammed? 51% of Gen Z Say College Was a Waste

Intellectual Freedom Podcast

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In this final episode of our six-part education series, Dr. David Hopkins—Humanities professor and reformed academic insider—dives deep into the gut-punch question haunting Gen Z: Is college still worth it?

With startling new data from a Newsweek/Indeed poll revealing that 51% of Gen Z grads believe their degree was a waste of money, we peel back the layers of rising debt, shrinking ROI, and the relentless march of AI into white-collar territory. From job mismatch to automated obsolescence, from tuition inflation to the prestige illusion—we’re not just asking “Is college worth it?” We’re asking for whom, when, and at what cost?

You’ll hear:

📊 What the latest research really says about college value in 2025
💸 How debt cripples opportunity (and what to do about it)
🤖 Why AI is making some degrees irrelevant before you even graduate
🎓 Which majors still matter—and which ones might not
🧠 Strategic pathways to a degree that doesn’t bury you in debt

Dr. Hopkins brings fire and nuance—blending real-world stats with Socratic insight, cultural commentary, and a touch of humor. It’s part sermon, part strategy session, and fully committed to intellectual freedom.

If you're a student, parent, educator, or just someone rethinking the college equation—this episode is for you.

Visit my website at davidhopkins.com.

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