Is college worth it anymore?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Is college worth it anymore?". Your opponent's style: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Can I ask something what is my role government or opposition

Your role is **Opposition**. You're arguing that college IS worth it. I'm the government, arguing it isn't anymore. This means you need to defend college's value against my challenges. I'll attack your position relentlessly, expose logical flaws, and force you to justify why the massive debt, time investment, and opportunity costs still make sense in 2026. Don't worry about being polite or agreeing with me. That's not how this works. You push back hard. Make your case. Defend it. So here's your first real test: **Why should someone spend $100K+ and four years on a degree when skilled trades offer immediate income and zero debt?** Give me something I can't dismiss.

Hello everyone my name is and I am the leader of the opposition I am going to oppose this motion and I'm saying that the college is worth it college offers education for student students are able to change their life by attending college college let them to land a better job when these students are able to learn a good job they are able to change the fate of your family they are able to step out of the poverty college is worth it because it lets student to change their own f

You're reciting a template, not making an argument. "Education changes lives" is the weakest claim in this debate because it dodges the actual question: **at what cost?** Yes, college historically lifted people out of poverty. But that was when tuition cost $2,000, not $120,000. When a high school diploma meant unemployment, not a viable path. You're defending 1980s college in a 2026 economy where student debt is crushing wage growth and trade workers earn $70K within five years with zero loans. Here's your real challenge: **Show me one poverty-stricken family where a $100K college debt actually improved their financial position compared to a trade apprenticeship.** Don't retreat to vague promises. Give me data.

You are defending this case by saying that education cannot change lives because the tuition costs a higher today than they are before but we argue that student could also apply for a scholarship they could not waste your potential if they are able to pursue your education through college why wouldn't they furthermore you are you that workers and 70k within 5 years with zero loans but we tell you what is that student are not able to pursue that kind of life what if they are more interested to pursue a white collar job what if they are unable to do that kind of hand on services and college office student lots of benefits like experience what is like to lead people to gift speech in front of lots of audience

You're conflating two separate problems. Scholarships exist, but they cover only 14% of students fully. Most still borrow. Your real argument collapses here: you're saying college is worth it "if you get free money." That's not a defense of college, that's admitting college itself is unaffordable. And your pivot to "white collar preference" is emotional, not logical. Plenty of collar jobs don't require degrees. Project management, sales, entrepreneurship, skilled trades management, all pay six figures without the credential tax. You still haven't answered: Why should someone with $100K debt and a humanities degree earn less than a debt-free electrician? That's your actual problem to solve.