Episode description

New research and polling show that more and more Americans now doubt a previously unquestioned fact of U.S. life — that going to college is worth it.

Paul Tough, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, explains why so many high-school students and their parents are souring on higher education and what it will mean for the country’s future.

Guest: Paul Tough, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine who has written several books on inequality in education.

Background reading: 

• Americans are losing faith in the value of college. Whose fault is that?
• In December, Colby-Sawyer in New Hampshire reduced its tuition to $17,500 a year, from about $46,000. The cut was a recognition that few pay the list price.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.