The Millennial Dollar Question

Caleb Gaines in his office at the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality in Austin. Gaines racked up more than $100,000 in debt for an MBA and an undergraduate degree. (Photo by Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News.)

Getting a university degree has become prohibitively expensive, and the chances of landing a well-paying job without a degree are bleak. As states cut higher education spending and college costs rise, a generation of young adults is coping with unprecedented levels of debt and unemployment.

Under the guidance of Professor Bill Minutaglio and Dallas Morning News investigative reporter Ed Timms, UT Austin School of Journalism students Wes Martin, Gabriel Macias, Michael Marks, Courtney Hisaw, Taylor Turner, Joshua Fechter, Kristyn Renfro, Emily Jimenez, Larisa Manescu and Rabeea Tahir spent several months examining these issues. This project is the result of a collaboration with The Dallas Morning News.

The Millennial Trap: a College Degree, Debt and Lousy Jobs
College-age millennials are faring worse than preceding generations did in their mid-20s and early 30s, reports say.

For Law Students, a Supply Glut and ‘Exploding Scholarships’
Despite fewer job openings for lawyers, some officials still press for more law schools.

State College Support Dives, Shifting Debt Onto Students
Student debt should concern everyone because of its potential effects on the national economy.