Many People wonder if it i important to have a college education. While some people think it is okay not to have one, others think it is a must. Most people think that “In today’s increasingly global, knowledge-based economy, education has never been more important” (Fact Sheet: Empowering States to Transform the Education Landscape). While college can help a person make more money, have increased opportunities, and find jobs with better benefits, it is also very expensive, time consuming, and risky. For most people college is important because a person who goes to college will potentially make more money.
There is no escaping the fact that the cost of college tuition continues to rise in the United States each year. To make it worse, having a college degree is no longer an option, but a requirement in today’s society. According to data gathered by the College Board, total costs at public four-year institutions rose more rapidly between 2003-04 and 2013-14 than they did during either of the two preceding decades (Collegeboard.com). Students are pressured to continue into higher education but yet, the increasing costs of books and tuition make us think about twice. Sometimes, some of these students have to leave with their education partially finished, leaving them with crushing debts.
According to Abel and Deitz, “In recent years, students have been paying more to attend college and earning less upon graduation—trends that have led many observers to question whether a college education remains a good investment” (2014, p. 1). If the student cannot find a job that pays a decent amount of money, after graduation why should the government ‘fund it?. College costs are rising each year. Future generations may not be able to go to college because tuition will be too high. But Abel and Deitz explain the reasoning behind it, “The return has remained high in spite of rising tuition and falling earnings because the wages of those without a college degree have also been falling, keeping the college wage premium near an all-time high while reducing the opportunity cost of going to school” (2014, p. 1).
Going to college has many benefits, but its clearest advantage is your income. Going to college ultimately means that you make more money than you otherwise would without a degree. This is worth far more than college’s upfront price. According to the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, in 2011 the median income of a high school grad who never went to college was $28,659. for those with some college but no degree, it was $32,036.
Most people have probably never thought about college education till high school. Some don't realize some of the commitments that are made for going to a college. Costs like, money because Student loans only go so far in covering college cost, and also time, but the costs of college rewards you later in life (Belleni). Yes the cost of colleges can be very hurendus but college over all is worth the cost. College is costly both financially and personally due to the amount of time and dedication it takes to complete, but the long term benefits of having a higher education, employment opportunities, and personal growth outweigh the costs in the end.
A free college education would also help me be able to find my career so much easier without spending thousands of dollars for classes I’m not interested in before finding the one I really want to have a career in. Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, noticed that the cost and demand for a college education has risen significantly between when he was a college student and today; he describes this rise as irrational. Thiel thinks that students today are taking larger student loans which leave them in debt and their
College is worth the money There is more to learn than what is in a book. When contemplating is going to college worth the cost? Think of all that going to college will provide in the future. Yes college is expensive and many don’t try to attend because of the fear and cost. There is much to be gained, there are many ways that one can pay for college that helps to eliminate some of the end cost.
Most college graduates make more money, but student loan debt is crippling them. Going to college helps establish great connections and you learn networking skills, however, you can still be equally as successful without a college degree. More and more jobs are requiring a college degree, but you aren’t guaranteed the job in your field with the degree. Last but not least going to college is an amazing experience, however, college doesn't necessarily grow my mind if you don't do it correctly. So you have to ask, yourself do the pros out way the cons?
People are more curious now and speculate if a degree is worth it before they go and spend all the time and money for a college education. In “The Value of a College Degree” Jaison R. Abel and Richard Deitz says “Tuition costs have been rising considerably faster than inflation, student debt is mounting, wages for college graduates have been falling, and recent college graduates have been struggling to find good jobs. These trends might lead one to believe that college is no longer a good investment” (Abel and Deitz, 2014). This is a good counter argument but I can tell you why it isn’t valid. Why is the value of a degree so high even when tuition costs are rising and college graduate wages are getting less and less?
Despite all counter arguments, a college education is worth paying the tuition and can have important long-term effects on a person’s life. In 2009, the number of students entering college peaked at seventy percent (Kent). However, more students have dropped out in recent years. Why? Upon taking a deeper look at the statistics behind the cost of a college education, the reason becomes much clearer.