Is university still worth the investment in an AI-first economy? Dan Martell’s new video makes a compelling case that it can be—if you treat it like any other business decision and run the numbers.


For freelancers and founders, the real question is ROI. A degree delivers structure, networks, and signaling value, yet many now achieve faster results with targeted no-code automation and AI tools that cost a fraction of tuition.


Martell’s take: choose programs that directly accelerate your niche, then layer practical skills on top. Skip the debt if you can validate client work quickly through portfolios built on platforms like Zapier or custom GPT workflows.


Actionable move: map your next 12 months. Calculate opportunity cost, projected freelance rates, and skill gaps. Then decide whether university closes those gaps faster than focused, project-based learning.


In 2026, the winners blend both paths strategically rather than defaulting to tradition.


— Priya 💼