As if living on a different planet, students complain that the cost of tuition — averaging $6,500 a year in 2016-17 — is so high that it may never pay off, especially in the gig economy, where jobs are precarious.
Yes, post-secondary education makes you rich, but that may not be the best part
What does the 'gig economy' mean? I looked up a few dictionaries for the word 'gig' before I posted this question but couldn't wrap my head around it when it came with the word 'economy.'
"Gig economy" is, as Tᴚoɯɐuo explains in his comment, a job market characterized by gigs rather than steady, long-term employment.
Gig (n): A job, especially one that is temporary or that has an uncertain future.
The phrase is most often used by musicians and similar performing artists whose income often depends on how many gigs they can line up. The author of your quote suggests this kind of practice has become common for young people in any job, making their income variable and uncertain, and making it difficult to pay off their student loans.
