College grads still have lowest unemployment rate, data shows

Despite widespread complaints from Gen Z and millennials that their degrees are a waste of money, fresh data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics deliver a blunt counter-narrative: college graduates remain the safest bet against unemployment.

Workers above the age of 25 who are bachelors have the lowest unemployment rate among all education levels and have maintained that trend for the last two decades, despite changes in the economy and labour market.

Unemployment among college graduates stood at about 2.8% in early 2026 compared to 6.4% among individuals who never completed high school, almost twice the rate. The same trend can be traced back to at least 2006, when the unemployment rate among individuals with degrees was 2.2% and 6.9% among high school dropouts.

Approximately one-third of college graduates believe that their education is not economically viable because there are fewer entry-level jobs, fewer promotion opportunities, and high college debts.

Tech leaders warn that AI will eliminate corporate jobs while creating a boom in blue-collar work. A viral TikTok from Gen Zer Robbie Scott captured the frustration: working 40-plus hours weekly with a master's degree, unable to afford a studio apartment, while baby boomers bought homes and Cadillacs on $30,000 annual salaries.

College graduates are able to earn about 66% more money per week than those who are high school graduates. According to research conducted by Ladders, a job board specialising in careers earning six figures or more, the need for degrees affects salaries the most.