WHAT THE DATA SAY: 45% of Gen Z say AI has made college degrees irrelevant

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

IS COLLEGE STILL WORTH IT?

Gen Z says AI has made college degrees irrelevant, according to our Harris Poll survey with Indeed.

• 51% of Gen Z today view their degree as a waste of money (41% for Millennials and 20% for Boomers).
• 45% of Gen Z say AI has made their college education irrelevant (versus 30% overall).
• 68% believe they could do their job without a degree (49% for Boomers).
• With tuition fees up 32%-45% during the last 20 years, 52% report graduating with student debt (58% for Millennials).
• 38% believe student debt has hindered their professional growth more than their degree helped.
• See also: Gen Z is interested in blue-collar work – but not necessarily manufacturing

SAVING VERSUS SPENDING

Americans concerned about their financial situation are spending less and saving more, according to our Harris Poll survey with the American Institute of CPAs.

• 37% of Americans say they have become more cautious about their financial situation during the past 12 months.
• 28% are charging less on credit cards.
• 27% have delayed a major purchase.
• 27% have started increasing their savings.

SANDWICH GENERATION SUFFERS

The sandwich generation – those between ages 40 and 59 – are facing the unprecedented financial strain of caring for both elderly relatives and adult children, according to our Harris Poll research with Athene.

• 73% say supporting family has affected their retirement goals.
• Women (53%) report higher levels of financial strain than men (40%).
• 22% are using retirement assets to support their family.
• 34% are planning to delay retirement.
• 30% are concerned about having to rely on children for financial support in retirement.
• 9% are not planning to retire at all.
• See also: ‘Magic number’ for retirement is down to $1.3 million, but Americans are still concerned

CHILDCARE CRISIS

The lack of childcare benefits is a growing crisis for working parents, according to Harris Poll and KinderCare’s 2025 Parent Confidence Index.

• 53% of working parents fear career setbacks due to parenting responsibilities.
• 63% say the return to in-person work has affected childcare needs.
• 53% are worried they will have to step back from their career to take on childcare responsibilities.
• 63% say employee-provided childcare benefits are more difficult to use than health benefits.
• 71% believe today’s gender pay gap directly results from America’s lack of childcare support.

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