Two Universities in our area are listed as having least valuable degrees (Fayetteville: high school, income)

[no kudzu]

So much to criticize about this "study". Still it is interesting. Not much news that liberal arts degrees aren't as desirable as STEM degrees.

What’s the least valuable college degree in the U.S.? - CBS News

[RedZin]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

So much to criticize about this "study". Still it is interesting. Not much news that liberal arts degrees aren't as desirable as STEM degrees.

What’s the least valuable college degree in the U.S.? - CBS News

They're desirable. They just don't guarantee as large a paycheck.

I've got serious doubts about this study, same as you.

[CHTransplant]

A bit surprising that one of them is a public university.

[RedZin]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

A bit surprising that one of them is a public university.

And that both are historically black colleges.

That might say more than anything else. It may not be the degrees.

[jmcstef]

What's interesting about the study is that some genius figured out the best way to measure the value of a degree is to subtract tuition from post grad earnings.

Using this math formula, a high school diploma or GED with zero college is far and away the most valuable.

This kind of "best of/worst of" list type article always cracks me up (that anyone takes them seriously I mean).

[mike052082]

I can say that I would have been much better off had I not attended Fayetteville State University. But then again, I may not have survived a majority institution.

[Snarky Prof]

I wouldn't put too much stock in that data. The manner in which the data was collected is suspect.

[Hamish Forbes]

Why would anyone be surprised by these outcomes? Does anyone seriously believe that Shaw and Fayetteville State are on par with Duke and Carolina?

What would your nominees be for two of the weakest schools in the state?

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by jmcstef

What's interesting about the study is that some genius figured out the best way to measure the value of a degree is to subtract tuition from post grad earnings.

I'm not intending to defend the study, but your characterization of their methodology isn't quite correct. They state their measurement of 20-year ROI as:

The total income that a graduate will earn after graduation in 20 years of working, minus both what they would have earned as a high school graduate and the cost of college (tuition, room and board, books and supplies), minus the average financial aid amount awarded to students at that school if that filter has been selected. It is their net earnings in 20 years as a college graduate.

[LLN]

It surprises me they included FSU in the survey!