{
  "id": 5242701,
  "title": "The Debate: Is university now a waste of money?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/the-debate-is-university-now-a-waste-of-money",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-03T03:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/the-debate-is-university-now-a-waste-of-money/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The ongoing debate surrounding the value of a university education has reached a boiling point, as graduates grapple with job uncertainty and mounting debt. On one side, Amy Lawrence, managing director of PR and communications agency Gingermay, argues that university is not a waste of money, as its benefits extend far beyond financial returns. She emphasizes that learning through real-world experiences, curiosity, and determination is just as valuable as academic qualifications. On the other side, Pegram Harrison, head of Economics and Management at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, contends that university remains a worthwhile investment, despite the complexities of measuring its return on investment. Harrison points out that university offers skills and experiences that are irreplaceable, such as focus, self-management, and critical thinking – qualities that are becoming increasingly important in the age of artificial intelligence. While economic data suggests that some graduates may not reap the full financial rewards of their degrees, Harrison maintains that the broader value of a university education extends far beyond financial considerations.",
  "summary": "As graduates struggle to find jobs, let alone those that are well paid, is university still worth the cost? We hear the case for and against.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}