The math is broken: College's ROI problem

Google, Apple, and Tesla have removed degree requirements. Does that mean college isn't worth it anymore? PLUS: The 6-month alternative that's creating better career outcomes without debt.

March 13, 2025

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3 Quick Bites:

🍎 Major employers are officially ending degree requirements for leadership roles 🍎 Why a 3-month European trip beats a 4-year dorm experience
🍎 The 6-month apprenticeship path that's outperforming 4-year degrees

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💡 THOUGHT

R.I.P. DEGREE?

And the future is now:

  • Google, IBM, Apple and Tesla have removed degree requirements from job postings

  • Skills verification platforms now provide better signals than transcripts

  • Apprenticeship models often deliver superior results to lecture halls

OLD PARADIGM: Get degree → Get job → Build career

NEW PARADIGM: Build skills → Demonstrate competence → Create value

📊 TREND

THE $200,000 VACATION

Modern media mogul Gary Vaynerchuk distills a complex question into simple math: Is college worth it?

His answer isn't anti-college, but pro-analysis: "My point of view on college is based on unemotional math." For decades, college was ROI-positive for most careers because a degree guaranteed returns. That reality has shifted for many—though not all—fields.

Gary acknowledges that certain professions still require degrees: "Do you need a degree for certain professions if you want to be a doctor, lawyer? I understand all that."

Today's question isn't whether college is universally "good" or "bad" – it's whether the specific investment matches your child's desired outcome. Each family needs to calculate their own ROI equation.

Meanwhile, as colleges face enrollment challenges and campuses close at record rates, it's worth having this honest conversation before making a $200,000 decision.

🔨 TOOL

SKIP COLLEGE, START APPRENTICING

When OpenEd CEO Isaac Morehouse created Praxis over a decade ago, he had a radical idea: you don't need a college degree to build an awesome career.

Hundreds of students later, the results speak for themselves. Through 6-month apprenticeships with growing companies, Praxis participants get real skills, actual experience, and a job. No debt required.

Now, with their recent acquisition by Libertas Network, they're scaling up to help even more young adults break free from the college conveyor belt.

Want to explore the apprenticeship path? Download their free guide →

That’s all for today! See you tomorrow.

– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)

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