Editorial | The Guardian | The Guardian view on universities: public confidence in degrees is wavering – ministers should shore it up | Editorial by Editorial AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information. The article highlights a sharp decline in public confidence that a university degree is worth its cost, with the proportion of people holding that view rising from 14 % to 34 % over the past two decades, according to a new Institute for Fiscal Studies study that also confirms an average lifetime earnings premium of about £100,000 but notes that one‑quarter of graduates end up financially worse off and that this premium has fallen roughly 30 % since forecasts six years ago. While concerns about loan terms, low‑value courses and the risk of mis‑selling degrees—especially for men with low prior attainment—are prompting ministers to consider stricter grade requirements, the piece argues that a degree’s value extends beyond earnings, citing a recent Advance HE and HEPI survey in which 45 % of students said their course offered good value for money (the highest since 2013) and 66 % were satisfied with their choice, with only 7 % regretting university. The article warns that financial pressures on the sector should not deter low‑income or rural students from attending, emphasizing the broader social, civic and personal benefits of higher education even as policymakers seek to protect its reputation and accessibility. Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/28/the-guardian-view-on-universities-public-confidence-in-degrees-is-wavering-ministers-should-shore-it-up #IFS #SocialAttitudes #HigherEducation #education #universities #NickHarrison