Higher Ed’s Reality Check: What Students Really Think About College

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: colleges struggle to connect with their most important audience—students. Fresh data RNL’s research studies show a big disconnect between what higher education offers and what students need. A new report from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education is waving red flags about dropping enrollment numbers and workforce gaps if colleges can’t step up their game and prove their worth.

But what’s going on here?

Show me the money: The cost crisis

Here’s what keeps students up at night: money. Nearly all (93%) of prospective students are stressing about college costs (RNL & Halda, 2024). Let that sink in—we’re talking about almost every student thinking about college.

The money story gets even more complicated:

• 82% say they might not even apply because they’re worried about costs (RNL & ZeeMee, 2024)
• 73% aren’t sure if their family can foot the bill (RNL & Halda, 2024)
• Many don’t even try for financial aid because they assume they won’t qualify (RNL, Ardeo & Halda, 2024)

“Is it worth it?”—The million-dollar question

Students aren’t just worried about paying for college—they’re questioning whether it’s worth the investment. The stats tell us:

• 60% wonder if college is worth the time, money, and effort
• Only 63% see a job offer after graduation as their main goal
• Half of students think they can make good money without a degree
  (RNL & Halda, 2024)

Lost in the college maze

In 2024, you’d think finding college info would be easy. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Check this out:

• 72% say applying to college is just too hard (RNL, Ardeo & Halda, 2024)
• 63% can’t figure out how to choose the right school (RNL & ZeeMee, 2024)
• 53% don’t know where to get help with college planning
• 51% are stuck at square one, not knowing where to start
  (RNL & Halda, 2024)

Transforming the college experience: A blueprint for change

The days of one-size-fits-all higher education are over. How can offer what students need?

1. Simplify the journey

Colleges must strip away the bureaucracy that scares away promising students. This means:

• Creating a streamlined, user-friendly application process
• Building intuitive websites that guide rather than confuse
• Offering clear, step-by-step roadmaps to enrollment
• Providing personalized application support based on each student’s background and needs

2. Talk money from day one

No more financial surprises or hidden costs. Colleges should:

• Present total costs upfront, including living expenses and materials
• Break down financial aid options in clear, everyday language
• Show concrete examples of return on investment
• Create customized financial planning tools that account for individual circumstances

3. Show Real Results

Students deserve to see the real impact of their investment:

• Share detailed job placement data by major and career path
• Report actual salary ranges for recent graduates
• Feature diverse alumni success stories across different fields
• Match potential career outcomes to students’ individual interests and goals

3. Innovate the Learning Experience

Education shouldn’t be rigid. Modern colleges must:

• Design flexible learning paths that fit different lifestyles
• Develop focused credential programs for specific career goals
• Create clear pathways from certificates to full degrees
• Offer personalized learning tracks based on student strengths and career objectives

The future of higher education isn’t just about making things easier—it’s about making them work better for each individual student. Colleges that embrace these changes won’t just survive; they’ll thrive by truly serving their students’ needs.

The future of higher education: A student-first revolution

Let’s be honest: the old college playbook isn’t cutting it anymore. Students are drowning in debt, juggling full-time jobs with classes, and questioning whether a degree is worth the sacrifice. They’re not asking for less rigor—they’re asking for a system that acknowledges their reality.

The WICHE report plainly states, “Demography need not be destiny.” But this isn’t just about numbers.

• It’s about Darla raising two kids while pursuing her nursing degree.
• It’s about Javier, the first in his family to consider college and has no roadmap to follow.
• It’s about Sophia working two jobs just to afford textbooks.
• It’s about Tyler, a baseball standout from rural Iowa whose guidance counselor is stretched too thin to help him navigate the recruiting process his parents never experienced.
• It’s about Emma, whose well-meaning parents have taken over her college search entirely, leaving her silent and stressed about expressing her own dreams.

These students aren’t looking for handouts. They’re looking for:

• A system that respects their time and responsibilities
• Clear paths that connect their education to real careers
• Flexible options that don’t force them to choose between life and learning
• Proof that their investment will pay off in tangible ways

The colleges that will thrive aren’t the ones with the fanciest buildings or the most prestigious names. They’re the ones who dare to ask: “What do our students need to succeed?”

Because here’s the truth: higher education isn’t just about preserving institutions. It’s about transforming lives. And right now, too many bright, capable students are being left behind by a system that wasn’t built for them.

The future belongs to colleges brave enough to change. Not just with fancy words and mission statements but with real, student-centered solutions that make education accessible, achievable, and worth every dollar and hour invested.

Reports cited in this blog—available for free download

• RNL & Halda, 2024 High School Student College Planning Report
• RNL & ZeeMee (2024), Enrollment and the Emotional Well-Being of Prospective Students: Creating a Culture of Care
• RNL, Ardeo & Halda, 2024 High School Students’ Perceptions of College Financing