It seems that many Americans are undervaluing formal education due to a few reasons. For one, sky-high tuition fees and student debts are discouraging people from pursuing higher education. Moreover, the belief that self-taught skills or entrepreneurship can bring success also plays a part. Additionally, some feel that formal education lacks practicality and doesn't adequately prepare students for real-world experiences. Lastly, the availability of online learning platforms also contributes to this undervaluing.