Is College Worth It? (Plus, waitlists and marriage markets)

Is College Worth It? (Plus, waitlists and marriage markets)

From It Turns Out by Kara Miller

May 15, 2026 · 40 min · Season 1 · Episode 15

About this episode

The episode explores the value of a college degree and its impact on success, waiting lists, and marriage prospects.

Is a college degree actually worth it, or do universities simply accept students who were already destined for success? Using a clever natural experiment - in an era when lots more folks doubt the usefulness of a college degree - University of Chicago economist Jack Mountjoy tries to figure out whether college really pays off. And for who? Plus, how does your life change when you get off a waiting list from an elite college? And how are your marriage prospects altered depending on your major? Subscribe to our Substack ! Did you know you can also watch the show? Subscribe to the show on YouTube!

People in this episode

Host: Kara Miller

Guest: Jack Mountjoy

Topics covered

  • college education
  • economic value
  • waiting lists
  • marriage markets
  • success factors

Keywords

  • college degree
  • economic analysis
  • waiting list
  • marriage prospects
  • University of Chicago

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Chicago

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