The College Scam Charlie Kirk | What Critics Say

“The College Scam” is a book by Charlie Kirk, the founder and president of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. In the book, he argues that higher education in the United States has become a “scam” for a variety of reasons, which he lays out as a “ten-count indictment.”

Here’s a breakdown of Charlie Kirk’s “The College Scam” argument — what he claims, what critics say, and things to think about.

🎯 What Charlie Kirk Is Arguing

Charlie Kirk, through his book The College Scam: How America’s Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America’s Youth (2022), makes several claims and criticisms about the U.S. higher education system.

Here are some of the main points:

🧐 What Critics Say

Critics acknowledge that there are real problems (cost, debt, mismatch of degrees/job market), but they argue Kirk’s account is sometimes oversimplified or ideologically motivated. Some critiques:

• Overstated claims / anecdotal evidence: Some reviewers say Kirk leans heavily on anecdotes or extreme examples rather than balanced data.

• Ignoring nuance: Not all college experiences are the same. Some fields do require degrees (medicine, engineering, etc.). Many students find value in non-monetary ways (networking, personal growth). Critics say Kirk underplays that.

• Ideological framing: Some argue his “brainwashing” claims generalize and demonize professors or the academic enterprise broadly. The ideological critique isn’t new, but its sweeping nature is questioned.

• Effectiveness and accuracy of “alternative paths”: Critics want more data on outcomes of non-college paths. Some argue not all young people have access or support for alternatives like apprenticeships. Also, not all industries accept experience in place of credentials.

🔍 Things to Consider

• Return on Investment (ROI) depends a lot on which college, what major, where you live, and what kind of job opportunities are available after graduation. A degree in, say, tech or health tends to pay off more quickly than some liberal arts degrees, but even in “high ROI” sectors, costs and debt complicate things.

• Social and personal benefits: Beyond just job outcomes, people often gain skills (communication, critical thinking), networks, access to mentors, etc., which are harder to quantify but meaningful.

• Equity concerns: There is discrepancy in who benefits most from college. Background (family income, race, community resources) plays a big role in both access to and outcomes from higher ed.

• Policy solutions: Instead of “college is a scam” rhetoric, some people argue for reforms—lowering cost, transparency in outcomes, increasing debt forgiveness, more support for community colleges/trade schools, better career counseling.

✅ My Take / Balanced View

I think Kirk raises valid concerns. The cost of college in the U.S. is a real problem. Many students graduate with debt and jobs for which they are overqualified, or in fields that don’t pay enough to recoup their investment. The idea that college is not one-size-fits-all is important.

But calling it broadly a “scam” risks dismissing the many positive roles colleges play. Also, sweeping generalizations can mislead: there are good colleges, good professors, valuable programs, and many people who benefit. The challenge is figuring out when college is the right decision, for whom, and how the system can be reformed.