The Bad PlaceThe Atlantic | Higher Education’s Identity Crisis by Adam Harris
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American higher education is at a crossroads, as colleges grapple with a succession of crises—from the post‑Great‑Recession boom and the pandemic to federal budget cuts, a looming demographic decline, and the disruptive rise of AI in the classroom. Graduates this spring face a precarious job market where entry‑level positions, once seen as a guaranteed next step, are increasingly uncertain, prompting students to question whether a college degree is still a worthwhile investment given soaring tuition that can exceed $75,000 a year. The traditional model of universities trying to serve both as a broad liberal‑arts experience and a direct pipeline to profitable careers is unraveling, with institutions ranging from elite research universities to small liberal‑arts colleges confronting financial strain, enrollment drops, and pressure to justify their costs. Simultaneously, politicians are inserting themselves into curriculum debates, and a growing interest in trade‑school pathways reflects doubts about the long‑term viability of the knowledge‑economy. As a result, scholars and journalists argue that the purpose of higher education must be re‑examined, emphasizing a more versatile, interdisciplinary education that prepares students for a rapidly changing future rather than a single, guaranteed career track.
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Alan Lewis