EPISODE · May 26, 2026 · 23 MIN
Why Elon Musk Says College Is a Waste of Time (He's Half Right)
from Elsewhere · host Tyler Cooper
Elon Musk calls college "basically for fun" and says you're better off dropping out to start a company. But here's what the Tesla CEO won't tell you: he's only half right, and the half he's wrong about could cost you everything. In this episode, Tyler Cooper breaks down the real math behind the college decision that's keeping millions of young people up at night. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why college tuition has exploded 1,200% since 1980 while wages crawled up just 300% • The shocking truth about 43% of recent graduates working jobs that don't require degrees • How electricians out-earn college grads by $6,000 annually with zero student debt • Which careers still require degrees (spoiler: it's not what you think) 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth, especially if you're questioning whether that degree is worth six figures of debt. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Tyler Cooper introduces the great college debate [01:30] The brutal math: why college costs have gone completely insane [04:00] Big tech companies that stopped requiring degrees (and why) [07:00] The trades vs. college income reality check [10:00] How to make the right choice for your actual situation [12:00] Three questions to ask before you decide The real answer isn't "college good" or "college bad." It's way more interesting than that. Cooper spent months digging into employment data, interviewing recent grads drowning in debt, and talking to trade workers who bought houses at 25. What he found will surprise you. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow Elsewhere on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: college costs, student debt, career planning, alternative education, trade jobs --------- Keywords: news breakdown, international news, international podcast, border disputes, geopolitics podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Elon Musk calls college "basically for fun" and says you're better off dropping out to start a company. But here's what the Tesla CEO won't tell you: he's only half right, and the half he's wrong about could cost you everything. In this episode, Tyler Cooper breaks down the real math behind the college decision that's keeping millions of young people up at night. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why college tuition has exploded 1,200% since 1980 while wages crawled up just 300% • The shocking truth about 43% of recent graduates working jobs that don't require degrees • How electricians out-earn college grads by $6,000 annually with zero student debt • Which careers still require degrees (spoiler: it's not what you think) 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth, especially if you're questioning whether that degree is worth six figures of debt. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Tyler Cooper introduces the great college debate [01:30] The brutal math: why college costs have gone completely insane [04:00] Big tech companies that stopped requiring degrees (and why) [07:00] The trades vs. college income reality check [10:00] How to make the right choice for your actual situation [12:00] Three questions to ask before you decide The real answer isn't "college good" or "college bad." It's way more interesting than that. Cooper spent months digging into employment data, interviewing recent grads drowning in debt, and talking to trade workers who bought houses at 25. What he found will surprise you. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow Elsewhere on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: college costs, student debt, career planning, alternative education, trade jobs --------- Keywords: news breakdown, international news, international podcast, border disputes, geopolitics podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
NOW PLAYING
Why Elon Musk Says College Is a Waste of Time (He's Half Right)
No transcript for this episode yet