Lately, everywhere I turn, TikTok, Instagram, even in conversations with young people I care about, I hear things like:
“College is a scam.”
“Why go into debt for a degree?”
I get it. There are bad actors in the education space. There are for-profit programs that advertise themselves as gateways to a dream career only to leave students with debt and no meaningful opportunities. There are incredible jobs that don’t require a degree. There are fields where skill and experience matter more than a diploma.
But let’s be clear about something fundamental:
College itself is not a scam.
And when we repeat that narrative uncritically, we are not protecting young people, we are failing them!
Where That “College Is a Scam” Message Comes From
People spreading this idea are:
- Individuals who did not pursue a degree and now feel defensive about it.
- People who chose programs with poor ROI (I’m looking at you, for-profit diploma mills).
- Folks who fell for a legit scam, and now conflate that experience with all higher education.
- Internet bros with no cultural context or lived experience of what access even looks like.
None of these perspectives are inherently rooted in your success, your growth, or your future. In other words, these are not people who have your best interests at heart.
College Status in the Latinx Community: The Stats
- Latinx students have made significant gains in college enrollment and degree attainment over the past decade.
- According to recent National Center for Education Statistics data, Latinx college enrollment continues to rise, and Latinx degree attainment, especially at the bachelor’s level, is growing steadily.
- However, Latinx students are still underrepresented among bachelor’s and advanced degree holders compared to their share of the U.S. population, meaning there’s still progress to be made, particularly with our young men.
Representation matters. When more of us graduate, we bring new perspectives into the legal system, into business, into health care, into education, into research, into government. Every degree earned by a Latinx student shifts the narrative of who gets to lead, innovate, and shape the future.
College Opens Doors
College isn’t just about earning a piece of paper, it’s about expanding opportunity.
A degree:
- Increases employment options.
- Boosts earning potential over a lifetime.
- Develops critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Provides access to networks that don’t open otherwise.
Even if your dream isn’t a 9–5 job, even if you want to start a business, education is a tool.
Take business courses. Finance. Writing. Marketing. Leadership.
You don’t have to major in something just because someone else said it’s “practical.” But walking into your chosen life with knowledge makes you more competitive, more strategic, and more adaptable.
Research Like You Would With Any Major Investment
One of the reasons people feel burned by college is because they didn’t shop smart. And no shame, Latinx are still more likely to be first-generation college students than their peers. We rarely have someone to help guide us.
College is an investment, not a lottery ticket.
So treat it like one:
- Compare programs and their outcomes.
- Look up graduation rates.
- Check job placement data.
- Ask about financial aid and scholarships.
- Consider community college or state schools to start.
- Talk to alumni who graduated into fields you’re interested in.
This is no different from researching a car purchase, a house, or anything else that requires real money and real time.
A Bigger Cultural Reality: Why It’s Under Attack
If college was truly worthless, do you know who wouldn’t be trying to undermine it?
The people in power who benefit most from a poorly educated electorate. (the fascists!)
If a population is not encouraged to think critically, to challenge narratives, and to engage with complex ideas, it becomes easier to manipulate.
Right now, we are seeing political forces deliberately underfunding public education, denigrating expertise, and elevating ideology over inquiry. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because critical thinking and equitable access to knowledge are threats to consolidation of power.
So when someone says “college is a scam,” ask:
Who benefits from you not having access to education?
The answer matters. (again, fascists!)
Listen to People Who Have Been Where You Want to Be
This is huge!
Not all advice is good advice.
Not all lived experience is relevant.
Your best sources of guidance are:
- People who have done the things you want to do.
- People who look like you.
- People who have navigated the barriers you are facing.
Learn from people who have walked the path, struggled, succeeded, failed, and can give you nuanced, honest guidance.
Final Word: Education Is a Tool
College is not a guaranteed ticket to success, but neither is dropping out of the race before you even start.
Used well, thoughtfully, and strategically, higher education is one of the most powerful tools for personal growth and community advancement.
If you choose not to pursue a degree, that’s a valid decision, as long as it’s an informed one.
But don’t fall for the idea that college is inherently a scam. That narrative does not serve you. It only limits your imagination of what’s possible.