Students Aren’t Looking for a Romanticized College Experience—They’re Looking for Opportunity

As trust in higher education declines, political scrutiny grows, and employers question whether graduates are truly job-ready, the purpose of college is once again under the microscope. While many surveys make it clear: students pursue higher education to improve their career prospects, there’s still a lingering narrative that insists college is about something else entirely—self-discovery, intellectual growth, and civic development.

It’s a comforting idea, sure. But it only tells part of the story—and mostly for a privileged few. The reality is, most students today can’t afford to treat college as an abstract journey of self-enlightenment. They’re working part-time jobs, caring for families, and taking on significant debt with one goal in mind: unlocking better opportunities.

It’s worth remembering that college was never intended to be an elite or purely intellectual endeavor. The roots of American higher education, especially with the Morrill Land-Grant Acts of the 1800s, were about expanding access and aligning education with the needs of the workforce. That mission gave rise to the modern bachelor’s degree and the four-year college model we know today—built to help everyday Americans improve their lives through practical, accessible education.

That same goal is still relevant now. While a small number of students may enroll just to expand their intellectual horizons, research from Lumina Foundation and Gallup shows the overwhelming majority are focused on securing good jobs and long-term financial stability. Colleges know this—they’ve spent years promoting degrees based on career pathways, employment outcomes, and ROI. So if today’s model feels too expensive, too rigid, or out of touch with the labor market, the answer isn’t to drift back toward romantic ideals. You can’t have it both ways.

At its core, education is about acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities to move forward in life. Of course, it has broader benefits: it strengthens communities, improves decision-making, and fosters personal growth. But for education to be transformative, it must connect learning to opportunity. That’s the promise students are buying into. It’s also what taxpayers are funding and what families are counting on.

And yet, we’re falling short. A recent report from Hult International Business School revealed a striking disconnect: 98% of employers say they’re struggling to find talent, yet 89% avoid hiring recent college grads. And according to the National Student Clearinghouse, 40% of students don’t graduate within six years—many leaving with debt and no degree. For these students, college isn’t a launchpad. It’s a setback.

Despite this, some still argue that higher ed shouldn’t be measured by outcomes. They say college should focus on shaping character, building citizens, and nurturing an appreciation for beauty and debate. But this is a false choice.

We don’t have to pick between education as a tool for personal enrichment or as a ladder to economic mobility. In fact, the best programs do both. A philosophy degree, for instance, can build communication, reasoning, and ethical thinking—skills valued in both the workplace and society. What matters is whether colleges are intentionally preparing students for the future they’re entering.

And many institutions are doing just that. Forward-thinking colleges and even traditional liberal arts schools are designing programs that fuse academic rigor with practical outcomes. They’re measuring what matters, addressing barriers to graduation, and creating support systems so all students—regardless of income or background—can succeed.

For higher education to earn back the public’s trust, that kind of innovation can’t be the exception. It has to become the standard.

We don’t need to choose between ideals and outcomes. The real power of college comes when both are pursued together. Developing character and delivering career readiness aren’t opposing goals—they’re complementary. If we want a 21st-century education system that actually serves students and society, it’s time to build with that in mind.