Essay On College Tuition

Nelson Mandela once said that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. The world does not wait for those who are ignorant. Respect comes only through knowledge” (Famous Quotes). Though these words were uttered almost thirty years ago, they still remain unambiguously relevant today – higher education is the pillar of American society. However, with the rising cost of tuition and difficult employment conditions, many students are beginning to question the worth of a college degree. What these students fail to recognize is that in today’s society, a college education is no longer an option or privilege…it is a necessity. Not only does college earn graduates higher salaries and provide greater job opportunities, it also cultivates more ethical citizens and provides students with the essential life experience of friendships, freedom and self-growth.

Opponents of higher education find many ways to question the current system. One of the first reasons people cite when they argue that college is not worth the time and money is the cost of tuition and the debt that typically ensues. Skeptics are alarmed that the average yearly tuition for a four year college is now almost $18,000, and admittedly, research suggests that almost 2/3 of students drop out of college before graduation (College Costs: FAQs)( Hacker, Andrew, and Dreifus 204). And college debt also has extremely long lasting effects. With $29,000 of average student debt, more than 24% of college grades have confessed that paying back their student loans prevented them from buying a house or taking their preferred job (Bennett, William J. and Wilezol 123)(Is College Worth It). Research also indicates that going to college doesn’t guarantee...

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...ous people in the world. Students have all heard the triumphs of college drop outs such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerburg. They’ve inspired a generation of students to question the value of a college degree. However, these Cinderella stories are not the rule…they are the exception, and apply only to the very driven and very lucky few. The chances of such a success story happening to a high school graduate are slim. To thrive in the increasingly competitive world economy, the truth is, one must have a college degree as it not only enhances financial security and job opportunities, it also makes students into more ethical and well-rounded citizens. Or, as Educational writer Andrew Hacker puts it, “The only thing more important to a happier and healthier life than having a college diploma, is having a college education” (Hacker, Andrew, and Dreifus 317).