Are We Seeing the End of Useless Degrees?
Go to college, get a good job. That’s the simple two-step process that many people plan and bank on.
But what happens when a degree doesn’t lead to a steady paycheck?
That problem is happening more and more, and students and employers are feeling the frustration that comes from an all-education, no-skills approach to college. In fact, one in three companies now only lists the skills they are looking for in their job descriptions rather than just a blanket degree requirement.
Companies need skilled employees, not just educated ones.
At Nexford, we’ve seen this shift. We understand a degree should set you up with skills, not just a checked box. That’s why we’ve developed courses that give you competence and confidence through hands-on education.
We help you add real lines to your resume.
What happens when degrees don’t bring you real earning potential?
Degrees often mean debt, but the hope is that a steady job after college will help dig you out. But what happens when the degree is earned and you can’t say the same about a good job?
There’s been an unusual shift since the COVID-19 pandemic: new college graduates actually have a higher unemployment rate than the general population. They often have growing debt — and growing disappointment.
This year marked the beginning of the Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment rule (FVT/GE), which basically means prospective students deserve more information upfront — will their education costs match their career outcomes?
The FVT/GE rule aims to hold institutions accountable for providing clear information about program costs, aid options, and typical hiring outcomes for students specific to degree programs.
How does the FVT/GE rule work?
Colleges and universities now have reporting requirements to give transparent information about cost factors that used to be ignored (back when college was assumed to be a straight ticket to a good job).
Now, they openly report details about financial aid, multi-factor costs, enrollment, and withdrawal rates. This data is used to show a debt-to-earnings (D/E) ratio so a student can compare educational debt to their earning potential.
This reporting aims to help students avoid a useless degree. The regulations will hopefully improve transparency and accountability, helping students avoid feeling trapped in unemployment while holding a new degree.
But if many degrees are becoming useless, what’s the alternative?
Invest in your skills, not just your education
The simple college-to-job formula might be shifting, but Nexford is ahead of the trend. We understand what employers are looking for, and we shape our programs to build those skills.
We know what it takes to land the job or climb the ladder.
Instead of a traditional (and often useless) institutional degree, Nexford offers flexible online education that focuses on career development and competencies.
How it’s going to work with you and Nexford
We know growing a career with all your other responsibilities is a big commitment. That’s why Nexford offers a flexible and efficient model for helping you gain real competence. We help you build in-demand skills while earning recognized and accredited credentials.
These simple steps will get you closer to the job you’re aiming for:
Monthly Tuition
Flexible Pacing
Career-Focused Skill Development
This straightforward and individualized approach is designed to help you fit career growth into your busy routine. We know life doesn’t slow down to give you time to get ahead. Our model fits your pace.
Courses that get you to your goals
Every course at Nexford is built with end goals in mind. What skills are employers searching for? What outcomes need to happen from this course? Those outcomes vary by industry, and we have programs to support the path you want to take.
We understand that you need your education investment to directly translate into career growth. Each of these programs can get you where you need to go.
Nexford Undergraduate Programs
Nexford Graduate Programs
These programs are relevant, applicable, and foundational in today’s markets. With a degree from these programs, your skills and credentials will match the real needs of employers.
With Nexford, useless degrees are a thing of the past.
If you’re ready to build real skills through relevant courses, contact a Nexford advisor today!
Nexford’s staff writers help you make the most of your university experience.
We’re based in the US and have teams across the world, including in the UK, Africa and Asia.
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