If you’re typing “should I go to college” into a search bar at 1 a.m., you’re not being dramatic. You’re paying attention. The entry-level job market is tight, AI is quietly eating the tasks that used to train new hires, and the planet keeps sending weather alerts like it’s trying to get our attention.

So here’s the answer up front, no suspense: for most people, yes, college is still worth it. But a degree is no longer a guarantee. It’s a ticket to the audition, not the role.