Rising tuition costs, ballooning debt anxiety, and a shifting perspective on career outcomes are fundamentally changing how American families approach college. According to the newly released 2026 Higher Education Survey by Provident Bank, nearly 70% of U.S. adults are actively rethinking higher education, with a growing number turning away from traditional four-year degrees in favor of alternative paths.
The survey, which polled 1,001 U.S. adults navigating higher education expenses, highlights a widespread financial reassessment. More than 70% of respondents reported that surging costs have already forced changes to their household or family plans.
The value proposition of a degree under scrutiny
The survey found that only 20.6% of respondents believe a higher education degree is clearly worth its cost today. Nearly half (48.5%) stated that the value depends entirely on the school, specific degree, and career path, while 19.4% feel the steep price tag outright outweighs any potential return.
Graduate education is facing similar headwinds. Nearly 44% of participants (43.9%) believe the financial return on a master’s degree is weaker than it was a decade ago.
Trade schools surge as viable financial alternatives
As traditional university costs prompt widespread behavioral changes—with 61.7% of Americans expressing openness to lower-cost alternatives like community colleges or in-state public universities—alternative education paths are gaining serious traction.
Trade and technical schools are now viewed by 30.4% of respondents as offering the best financial return, placing them a close second behind traditional four-year colleges (35.4%). Overall, roughly 65% of Americans say that mounting student debt worries have made trade schools, technical programs, or certificate paths significantly more appealing.
Gaps in planning and a call for banking support
Despite heightened financial anxiety, proactive savings and debt forecasting often lag behind. The survey revealed that 19.4% of respondents are entirely unsure how much student loan debt they or their dependents will ultimately need to take on. Among those anticipating debt, nearly 10% expect to borrow $100,000 or more. Furthermore, 13.5% of families reported having no savings plan in place and no intention of starting one.
This friction points to an untapped opportunity for financial institutions. While 51.4% of Americans consider it important for their bank to offer dedicated education-saving products and guidance, only 24.4% currently use such resources from their financial providers.
“Planning for higher education is one of the most complex financial challenges a family faces, and our survey shows that most feel they’re doing it without adequate support,” Renee Altomonte, executive vice president and retail banking director at Provident Bank.
As families navigate these mounting cost pressures, financial leaders emphasize the importance of early tools—ranging from structured 529 plans to comprehensive budgeting guidance—to help consumers align their educational goals with long-term financial stability.
