Study calls for higher education reform

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - It’s a wake up call for many universities.  A new poll shows that a majority question the value of a college degree.  The study, backed by Northeastern University, found most respondents want the country's education system to change, fearing it could lose its competitive edge. 

For Nathan Rigione, going to college is part of the American Dream.  “I believe that college should be pursued by anyone who has the desire to achieve it,” said Rigione.  

Rigione joins the one out of seven Americans who believes higher education is “very important.”  The 18-year-old Westford native has applied to 11 schools. He'll be enrolling in college next fall and wants to be an actor. On Thursday he visited UMass with his mom. 

“When we see which colleges accept him and see what they are saying is their tuition and all of the fees, you know we are going to have heart to heart talk with him. The cost of each of the colleges isn't going to be the whole deciding factor but it has to be a portion of it,” said Nathan’s mom, Sally. 

And she's not the only one worried about costs. The national opinion poll also found that 86% of those surveyed said paying for college was a big obstacle.  UMass senior Ted Miller is studying civil engineering, he’ll leave school nearly $30,000 in debt.  

“It's kind of not really much of an option. You have a chance of getting paid more if you go to college rather than not go to college,” said Ted Miller,

Respondents are also split on the value of college. Nine out of every ten 18-30 year olds said the education system needs to change.  “It's put me in nothing but a hole. Where yes I do value my education, I like learning. But I mean people like me, I have a mortgage to pay, electric bill, gas whatever else,” said UMass senior, Shavonne Santiago.

The survey says that more Americans, like Santiago, would prefer cooperative learning.  These models would allow students to integrate semesters of academic study, with semesters of full-time paid employment in their chosen fields.