Is going to university still worth the cost?

For decades a degree was seen as the safest route to a good job. Today, with tuition fees in England over nine thousand pounds a year and US college costs often far higher, many young people are asking whether it still pays off.

Supporters point out that graduates still tend to earn more over their careers, and that university offers more than a qualification: independence, friendships, networks and time to grow up.

Critics say that student debt can follow people for decades, and that many graduates end up in jobs that do not need a degree. Apprenticeships, trade careers and online courses now offer routes into well-paid work without the debt, and some big employers have dropped degree requirements altogether.

The answer often depends on the subject, the university and the career a student has in mind.

If you were 18 today, what would you choose? Cast your vote and see the live results.