Survey finds 3 in 4 California graduates say bachelor’s degree was worth the cost
A BestColleges and National University survey of California bachelor’s degree holders found that 75% said the degree was worth what they paid, with job qualification and career advancement the top cited benefits.
A BestColleges and National University survey of California bachelor’s degree holders found that 75% said the degree was worth what they paid, with job qualification and career advancement the top cited benefits.
What happened
BestColleges and National University released the California Educational Outcomes Survey on Sept. 1, saying 75% of California residents with bachelor’s degrees considered the degree worth the cost. The survey covered 1,006 California residents whose highest education level was a bachelor’s degree earned between 2016 and 2021.
The release said the survey was conducted in July 2026 with research firm GLG. National University sponsored the survey, and BestColleges said it maintained editorial independence in the analysis and findings.
Why it matters
The report was designed to examine outcomes federal data cannot capture, including how graduates judge the value of a degree beyond earnings. It also looked at career preparation, financial security, student debt, continued education needs and whether those views differed by field of study.
Among respondents who said the degree was worth the cost, the most common benefits were qualifying for a job and advancing a career, according to the release.
Context and background
The survey found that 61% of graduates said they earn about as much as or more than they expected. It also said 87% reported they can cover basic expenses, while 61% said they worried about affording basic expenses in the last year.
Graduates pointed to gaps in job search, technical and management skills as areas colleges could improve. The report recommended expanding hands-on learning and paid internship opportunities, using employer connections to identify in-demand skills and keeping career services available after graduation.
BestColleges Editorial Director Taína Cuevas said the value of a bachelor’s degree is not defined by salary alone. She said earnings matter, but graduates also weigh career preparedness, financial security and their own view of value.
What happens next
The release did not say whether BestColleges or National University plans additional survey updates, but it said the full report is intended to inform how schools and employers think about graduate outcomes.
Sources
Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.
View the Web StoryA visual, tap-through version of this reportThis is the AMP version of the article. Read the full article on Atlas Watchline.