Is a Texas degree even worth it anymore? I'm having doubts. 📊

[Monica]

I came to college believing the whole "degree = stability" thing. But after reading this 2026 Texas Policy Agenda, I'm genuinely questioning everything .

The report says "many young adults feel that path is collapsing" and that "trust in the state's institutions is eroding amid underfunding, politicized interference in curriculum, and the rollback of DEI efforts" . People are literally questioning whether a Texas degree has value outside the state.

Meanwhile, 38% of young Texans report that their pay doesn't even cover basic living expenses . I'm taking out all these loans, working myself to exhaustion, and for what? To graduate and still not afford rent?

The workforce section says jobs are characterized by "low pay, unpredictability, and misalignment between training and real career outcomes" . Young adults say "job availability alone is not enough" – we need job quality, career clarity, and skills that actually translate into long-term security .

I'm pre-med so maybe I'll be okay? But what if I don't get into med school? What if I end up with a biology degree and no job?

Is anyone else having these existential crises? How do you stay motivated when the whole system seems broken?

 

[Duglas]

I'm a PhD student at a Texas R1 and I want to give you the faculty perspective: we're worried too. We see the funding cuts. We see the admin getting nervous about what can and can't be taught. We see students like you wondering if it's worth it.
But here's what I tell my undergrads: the value of your degree is not determined by the Texas legislature. It's determined by what you learn, the skills you build, and the network you create. A degree from a Texas public university is still a degree from an accredited institution. Employers outside Texas don't track our political drama. They care about what you can do.
Your pre-med path is solid. Focus on your GPA, your MCAT, your research experience. If med school doesn't work out, there are plenty of paths—public health, biotech, teaching. You have options.