Something fundamental has shifted in how Americans think about higher education. A new NBC News poll reveals that nearly two-thirds of registered voters—63% to be exact—now believe a four-year college degree isn't worth what it costs. That's a dramatic reversal from just a decade ago.

The Numbers Tell a Stark Story

The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters between October 24 and 28, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Only 33% of respondents said a four-year degree is "worth the cost because people have a better chance to get a good job and earn more money over their lifetime."

Meanwhile, 63% said it's "not worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off." Back in 2013, the split looked completely different: 53% said degrees were worth it, while just 40% disagreed, according to CNBC's All American Economic Survey.

Why the Skepticism? Follow the Money

The cost explosion is hard to ignore. According to College Board data cited by NBC News, the average inflation-adjusted cost of public four-year college tuition for in-state students has doubled since 1995. Private four-year college tuition hasn't fared much better, climbing 75% over the same period.

Even Tech Billionaires Are Calling It Broken

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms (META), captured the sentiment bluntly, calling college "a broken system that starts students in a big hole with no guarantee of a job." Worth noting: the sixth-wealthiest person in the world is himself a college dropout.

He's not alone in questioning the traditional path. Real estate investor Grant Cardone has pointed to AI disruption, an oversupply of degrees, and crushing student debt as reasons the college equation no longer adds up. Too many graduates are now competing for too few jobs in an economy being reshaped by artificial intelligence. Financial advisor Dave Ramsey has also raised questions about whether prestigious universities can justify their premium price tags.

The Trade School Renaissance

Where is the enthusiasm going instead? Technical, vocational, and two-year degree programs are seeing increased interest, according to the poll. A separate study found that 93% of Americans believe trade apprenticeships offer better job stability than traditional four-year degrees. That's a remarkable vote of confidence for skills-based training over the classical liberal arts path.

The message is clear: Americans want education that leads directly to employment, not just a diploma and a five-figure debt burden.