These days, many young people may wonder if they would be better served by striking out on their own than pursuing a college education. In this rapidly evolving digital era, narratives of instantaneous success and entrepreneurial grandeur have flooded our social media feeds, luring the digital natives of Gen Z into questioning the worth of what is often an expensive traditional college degree.

With U.S. universities witnessing a steep 17% enrollment decline between 2011 and 2022 – a trend further exacerbated by the pandemic – it’s clear that the allure of an immediate well-paying job and the high cost of higher education are shaping people’s views of college. Yet, in these challenging times, it is vital to unpack these perceptions and distinguish between the cost of a college education and the invaluable return that it can provide by nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset.

Contrary to popular belief, successful entrepreneurship is not confined to the young. Recent research suggests that the average age in the U.S. of founders when they launched their companies is 42, rising to 45 for those within the top 0.1% of earnings based on growth in their first five years. That’s even the case for high-tech startups. Indeed, successful entrepreneurship is frequently the result of years of learning, experimenting and risk-taking – traits cultivated over time.

This reality underscores the in-person value of the university experience for personal development and building useful networking skills, which enable the individual to develop a formidable social circle. At their best, universities are not mere dispensers of academic knowledge; they are catalysts for creativity, innovation and lifelong learning. Campuses create environments teeming with intellectual diversity and collaboration, promoting an entrepreneurial mindset. They encourage students to challenge established norms and leverage their unique perspectives to create value – practices that are also key to entrepreneurial success.

Thus, higher education is not just about attaining a degree; it’s about acquiring the skills and experiences that inspire and enable the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

While formal entrepreneurship itself isn’t typically a course of study, are all college majors equally capable of instilling entrepreneurial prowess? Let’s examine the arts majors, which are often subjected to skepticism concerning their career trajectories. But, if appropriately structured, these courses of study can serve as fertile grounds for honing entrepreneurial skills.

Consider a theater major. That curriculum often encompasses entrepreneurship-focused capabilities beyond stage direction, lighting, sound systems and performance. Students learn to mobilize resources, lead creative teams and navigate the uncertainties of a theatrical production – skills that are readily transferable to launching and nurturing any entrepreneurial venture. Therefore, with a properly designed and robust program, arts majors could become the launchpad for unique entrepreneurial endeavors, such as creating a vibrant event management startup or pioneering a theater-themed dining experience.

But access to such entrepreneurial skills mustn’t become an exclusive privilege of specific majors or courses of study. Instead, higher education institutions would do well to weave entrepreneurial instruction into all programs. This comprehensive integration of entrepreneurial teaching into existing courses should provide an environment conducive to trial, error and learning – a setting that mirrors the real world of entrepreneurship. With this approach, we can prepare all students for the ever-changing job market, equipping them with the tools they need to carve their distinct niches in the world, regardless of their chosen fields of study.

For instance, Kent State University in Ohio has an Arts Entrepreneurship minor that combines art and business courses. Their goal is to enable students to learn how to apply their artistic skills to an income-generating venture. One recent graduate even launched a multi-employee company that creates handbags adorned with skylines of various cities and college towns.

Infusing entrepreneurial teachings within a broader spectrum of courses can significantly enhance the worth of higher education – and bolster the lifelong value of a degree. It is imperative to remember that college is not only about preparing individuals for the job market as it exists today. Instead, it is about imparting the skills, experiences and connections that could redefine that market tomorrow.

Akin to a compass for the future, guiding us toward a society that prizes critical thinking, nurtures intellectual curiosity and champions innovation. Let’s not get swept away by fleeting trends or skewed narratives. Instead, we should appreciate the enduring value of a college degree and renew our commitment to higher education — for the sake of our immediate future and the generations to come.