Is College Education Worth It

Is College Education Worth It?

When children are younger and are asked the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The response maybe an astronaut, ballerina, cowboy or a cowgirl. As time goes on though, and those children turn into young adults, people do not ask the same question. Instead, 18 year olds are typically asked “ What college are you going to?” or “ What are you planning to study after high school?” Everyone expects that college is the next step for high school graduates. Society has forever changed by the increase of college education, but there are many pros and cons to spending time and money at school. Society may question if the two to twelve years of school is even worth the time and effort put in? Many people

Whether someone pays for college themself, their parents or grandparents pay for it or they have to take out student loans, everyone who wants to go to college has to pay the costly price. Of course, it depends on how long someone is in school, or if they get scholarships or not, helps determine the amount of money they have to spend, but everyone has to afford it some how. According to Education Pays 2016, “Individuals with higher education levels earn more, pay more taxes, and are more likely than others to be employed and to have job benefits such as retirement and health insurance. Adults with more education are also more likely to move up the socioeconomic ladder and less likely to rely on public assistance”(College Education). The more time spent in college, the more money people will have to pay off any debt or student loans. Also, college graduates will have a higher income and lifetime benefits for the long run. However, there has been students who get out of college and do not prosper as far as others think. Someone who has spent the money on college, may have a high enough debt that it does not give them as many benefits but, instead decrease a desired wealthy lifestyle. Facts prove that “ The average cost for a 4-year degree (including room and board) increased 130% for private schools and 131.4% for public schools from fall 1982 to fall 2012” (Young Graduates). The prices have even increased more from 2012 to

Getting a degree does cost a sum of money and a great deal of time, but that can be beneficial. The more someone puts in, the more they can get out of it. There are special exceptions of people who are successful without college depending on what career they hope to obtain. For example, someone who might want to be a contractor or a plumber may not need a college degree, but someone who is interested in being a nurse or engineer definitely would benefit from earning a higher education. There is no right or wrong answer to whether students should go to college or not. It is an individual decision. If college will be beneficial to their desired lifestyle then they should be encouraged to go, but if college is not necessary for a student's future then it is not worth being pressured into, if it is not worth their time, money and