For many young Americans, deciding on college has become a complex choice. Increasingly, a main question is whether a degree is worth its cost. Confidence in higher education has dropped due to high tuition, student loans and a tough job market. Colleges are now trying to prove their value. New rankings and reports focus on the financial benefits of degrees. Research shows most bachelor's degrees still pay off, but not all lead to good salaries. More students are choosing technical schools or trades over four-year universities to avoid debt. In response, colleges are working to align degrees with job market needs.

The government shutdown means further disruption for the U.S. Education Department, which has seen half of its employees laid off by the Trump administration. The department says many core operations will continue in a shutdown, but civil rights investigations will stop, and no new federal grants will be issued. About 87% of the workforce will be furloughed. The department still will manage federal student aid, with Pell grants and loans continuing, and payments will still be due. However, 632 of 747 employees in the Office of Federal Student Aid will be furloughed. The Office for Civil Rights will halt investigations into discrimination by race and disability, adding to an existing backlog of complaints.