In 2013, 70% of US Deemed College Very Important. Now, 31%

Americans' enthusiasm for a college degree is sliding fast. A new Gallup poll finds that just 31% of adults now say a college education is "very important," down from 35% last year and less than half the 70% who felt that way in 2013, reports the Washington Post. It's the lowest level recorded since Gallup began asking the question in 1978. Skepticism is rising in tandem. Those who see college as "not too important" have jumped from 6% in 2013 to 29% currently, while 39% call it "fairly important"—a jump from 23%.

The findings underscore a growing tension: Earlier surveys show that most parents still hope their children earn a degree, but many also believe institutions are failing on affordability, blaming colleges for doing a poor job of controlling costs. Business Insider has more on what tech executives are guiding their own kids into after high school. "College does not have to funnel you directly into a particular job, especially in a world where that job might not exist in five years," one entrepreneur says. A tech CEO, meanwhile, adds that he wants his kids to go to college to "get independence as adults, develop reasoning, and make friends for life." More here.