A Question of Value: Exploring Perceptions of Higher Education Value in Academic and Popular Literature

Abstract

Research purpose. The pursuit of higher education has, until recently, been viewed as a worthwhile pursuit. However, factors including rising tuition costs, graduate job-readiness, and the associated debt have diminished the perceived value of college degrees at all levels. This research seeks to explore both academic literature and popular publication sources to gain a deeper understanding of the value proposition of higher education in the dynamic 21st century.

Keywords

• higher education
• perceptions of value
• systems thinking
• i23