Degree deflation

The shift toward workers without degrees during the pandemic will likely show if workers who have degrees can perform better than newly hired workers without degrees.

Studies show little performance difference between those with and without degrees outside fields such as professional services and finance. Entrepreneurs and hiring managers are already aware that a college degree is often unnecessary, and that competing for talent will become harder.

Since the pandemic, employers are resetting degree requirements in many roles, most notably for middle-skill positions - those requiring some post-secondary education or training but less than a degree. The change is also noticeable for higher-skill positions.

Companies are finally ...