Third of people no longer believe degree is worth the time or money, UK poll shows

Cambridge University students on graduation day. A British Social Attitudes survey shows only 36% of people think graduates end up being financially a lot better off. Photograph: Hazy Pics/Alamy

There was a time when going to university seemed a no-brainer. Better qualifications opened doors to better jobs with greater earning potential.

But with the graduate premium shrinking, mounting anger about spiralling student debt and growing fears about AI eating into the graduate jobs market, it is not surprising that attitudes are shifting.