At TikTok, where variations on the hashtag #NotGoingToCollege have racked up more than 30 million views, young people argue "my career doesn't need college" and talk about starting their own businesses (often as influencers). Overall, just 51 percent of Gen Z teens are now considering a four-year degree, according to a survey this year by the nonprofit ECMC Group—a 20-point drop since May 2020. "Gen Z students are sharp," says Jeremy Wheaton, the organization's former president and CEO. "They're thinking about things such as the return on their time and dollar investment."
