Is your degree worth it? New US rules to penalize colleges with low-earning grads 

Choosing a degree has always been a major financial and life decision – but in 2026, it’s becoming a measurable one. New federal accountability rules in the United States are shifting the focus from what you study to what you earn after graduation. Colleges whose graduates consistently earn low wages relative to their debt may now face penalties, restrictions, or even loss of federal funding eligibility.

For anyone planning a college path, this changes the equation in a very real way.