Is College Still Worth It?

In 2025, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) published a striking report—the United States is facing a critical skills shortage in the next seven years. The research showed that 18.4 million experienced workers are expected to retire by 2032, with only 13.8 million workers with equivalent job experience to replace them. The CEW projects that the U.S. will need about 5.3 million workers with postsecondary education—defined as community college, university, and vocational training—through 2032.

According to the report, the largest projected shortage will be in management occupations, which typically require a bachelor’s degree. However, skilled trades, which include roles like electricians, plumbers, and technicians, are also facing a shortage, with over a million trade jobs unfilled.

The looming labor shortage has dramatically shifted the conversation about higher education in recent years, leading to a decline in confidence in traditional college pathways due to affordability concerns and unclear career outcomes. With public skepticism growing, tuition costs rising, and alternative career pathways gaining attention, many are reconsidering the value of higher education.

This shifting landscape has left many veterans to wonder: Is a college degree still necessary?

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be an exciting yet challenging period for veterans. They face a multitude of decisions, and adding the decision of whether to pursue college to the mix can make figuring out “what’s next” feel overwhelming. Complicating the decision further, federal programs such as the GI Bill actively incentivize higher education as a primary transition pathway—a valuable benefit of military service—but this can lead many veterans to consider college, even if they’re unsure whether it’s the right fit for their long-term goals.

Despite broader concerns about higher education’s worth, Warrior-Scholar Project’s 2025 academic boot camp season told an encouraging story: veterans across the country still view education as a critical next step in the military-to-civilian transition.

Veteran Demand Remains Strong

Even as national college enrollment trends fluctuate, interest in WSP programs continues to grow. The 2025 academic boot camp season drew in 300 veterans representing every branch of service and from all backgrounds.

Each summer, in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide, WSP participants immerse themselves in intensive, week-long academic boot camps, completing 75 academic hours in a simulation of “finals week.” Our flagship program mirrors a rigorous college experience, complete with faculty lectures, group discussions, and writing workshops, while offering the cultural and peer support veterans often need to succeed.

“The most important thing I learned was that I’m not alone. Instead, I am part of a community that genuinely cares, supports, and wants to see me succeed. That’s invaluable and what truly helped me in the ways I needed, especially as a transitioning service member,” said Navy veteran Giovanna Lopez, a WSP-Yale alumna.

What Veterans Are Saying: Education Still Matters

What motivates veterans to participate in WSP? The reasons are as varied as their service experiences. For some, it’s the desire for intellectual challenge; for others, it’s a pathway to a meaningful civilian career or a way to continue serving through leadership and civic engagement.

Many arrive unsure whether college is “for them.” They leave with a renewed sense of purpose.

“By the end of the course, multiple students approached me to compliment my public speaking abilities and my consistent preparedness for class. They also mentioned my effective leadership skills. Most importantly, my imposter syndrome had vanished, and I genuinely felt like I belonged on this campus, especially after learning from some of the professors who teach there at Brown,” said USMC Reserves veteran Don Beamon.

Throughout the years, participants have consistently described the program as “life-changing,” saying that the boot camp reignites confidence, sharpens academic readiness, and reminds them that their skills have value beyond uniformed service. That theme continued this year.

“This is a life-changing program, and I don’t say that lightly. I believe there would be a much higher percentage of veterans who successfully transition out of the military if a program like this were part of the process,” said a 2025 WSP-Harvard University participant.

Through this shared journey, the message is clear: Education still matters, and WSP’s curriculum continues to provide the tools veterans need to succeed.

The Power of Community and Access

Transitioning veterans often face cultural and logistical barriers to higher education, such as navigating admissions, translating military experience into academic language, and adjusting to campus culture. This adjustment period can be particularly challenging for first-generation college students, who account for more than half of WSP participants.

One of WSP’s defining strengths is its ability to expand access to higher education while building community, connection, and a sense of belonging that continues beyond the classroom.

“I liked the identity and community part because it is often hard to navigate that when you get out. It showed you ways to cope with and redirect yourself so that you can find and scope in on this new chapter of your life,” said a 2025 WSP-University of Notre Dame participant.

This supportive environment encourages veterans to see themselves not as outsiders, but as resilient and curious students with unique perspectives that add value to the classroom.

Wrapping up the 2025 Academic Boot Camp Season

In total, WSP partnered with 19 colleges and universities this summer on campuses spanning the nation from New England to Southern California. We also hosted three virtual academic boot camps.

We’re proud to report that 99% of 2025 survey respondents said they would recommend WSP to other veterans and service members, and 97% felt they would do well if attending their first-choice college. The confidence to know they’ll succeed is at the core of WSP’s mission.

“I walked into this course knowing almost nothing about higher education. After being out of school for over a decade, the idea of reentering an academic environment was intimidating. WSP gave me the chance to relearn how to learn, and that made all the difference,” said Navy veteran Devin Murillo, a WSP-Yale alumnus.

Mozella McCoy-Flowers, a Navy veteran and WSP-William & Mary alumna, shared that, “WSP taught me that intellectual curiosity and academic rigor aren’t limited to traditional students. Veterans bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the classroom, and that’s a strength—not a weakness. I learned how to read closely, write more persuasively, and speak with confidence, even when the material was challenging. Most importantly, I learned I’m capable of thriving in any academic environment and that disability does not equal inability. I was pushed both mentally and literally—through difficult texts and across campus grounds—and never once did I feel like a burden. I learned that veterans look out for each other, that I can handle intense academic work, and that my perspective belongs in any classroom.”

Education = The Catalyst for What’s Next

So, is college still worth it?

Through the eyes of Warrior-Scholar Project alumni, the answer is a resounding yes.

For veterans, college is not just an investment in a degree; it’s an investment in self-discovery and long-term growth while providing a supportive community. WSP’s successful 2025 academic boot camp season demonstrated that, even as public opinions shift, the pursuit of education remains a valuable next step in the veteran transition journey.

“I purposefully arrived without any expectations. My only goal was to gain more skills to be more successful as I transition into the academic phase of my journey. To say that WSP is transformational is an understatement; the soft and hard skills that we developed over just the course of a single week continue to be invaluable,” said a 2025 WSP-Yale participant. “Additionally, I arrived alone, but I left among a newly formed cohort of people who are all aiming to become the best possible versions of themselves. Of course, WSP provided the academic foundation necessary for our success; however, it was within the conversations and unified sense of purpose where WSP truly shines.”

There are a few ways you can help enlisted veterans invest in themselves and their long-term growth. If you know an enlisted veteran who could benefit from Warrior-Scholar Project’s academic boot camps, encourage them to submit an interest form here or contact admissions@warrior-scholar.org to discuss their goals with a member of our admissions team.

Many college preparation programs require participants to pay fees to attend. At WSP, enlisted service members and veterans can access all programs free of charge thanks to our generous partners and donors. If you would like to support WSP and ensure all enlisted veterans interested in higher education have the opportunity to succeed, donate today.