The College Degree Isn’t Dead. But the Wrong Kind Could Cost You $2 Million.

A Fortune op-ed by President Jerry Balentine, D.O., contends that, while fewer Americans now view a four-year college degree as essential, it can still offer strong long-term value if achieved through the right university. He writes that, as artificial intelligence reshapes entry-level roles, universities have an opportunity to better prepare students by emphasizing skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and working effectively with AI tools. “Universities built for the next decade will operate more like nimble enterprises: making fast decisions, shifting course content, integrating AI across disciplines, redesigning degrees with diminishing value, and expanding industry partnerships to create job pathways for their graduates,” writes Balentine.

Many institutions—including New York Tech—are already doing this by integrating AI curricula, hands-on learning, real-world projects, and entrepreneurship into their programs, helping students gain practical experience before graduation. Ultimately, he concludes that a college degree remains a worthwhile investment when it is paired with meaningful, applied learning that equips students for a rapidly changing workforce.

“So is a college degree still worth it? Yes—but only if the university is doing its job. In an AI age, the diploma matters less than what students actually did to earn it.”