In India, the value of a degree is being questioned like never before. Rising tuition fees, mounting student loans, and limited job returns are making families rethink whether traditional education is still the safest bet.

Take Riya, a 22-year-old engineering graduate. Her family invested nearly ₹12 lakh in her degree, but her first job pays just ₹4.2 lakh a year. Meanwhile, her friend Sameer skipped college, spent ₹60,000 on a coding bootcamp, and now earns almost double.

Reports show this isn’t unusual. Fresh graduates without added skills often start at ₹3.8–4.5 lakh, but those with certifications in AI, cloud, or cybersecurity can fetch ₹7–10 lakh. Even MBA graduates from top institutes like IIMs admit that degrees alone no longer guarantee high-paying jobs.

Experts believe the best approach is balance: a degree still offers credibility, structure, and networks, but practical skills—through internships, projects, or online courses—are what truly make candidates employable. In short, the degree may open the door, but skills decide if you stay inside the room.