Is College Education Worth It? : Is College Education Worth It?

Over the last decade—from 2004 to 2014—the share of graduates with debt rose modestly (from 65% to 69%) while average debt at graduation rose at more than twice the rate of inflation.” and According to the Department of Labor, as of 2008, 17 million college graduates were in positions that did not require a college education. 1 in 3 college graduates had a job that required a high school diploma or less in 2012.

Over the past decade, it has become evident to the students of the United States that in order to attain a well paying job they must seek a higher education. The higher education, usually a college or university, is practically required in order to succeed. To be able to attend these schools and receive a degree in a specific field it means money, and often a lot of it. For students, the need for a degree is strong, but the cost of going to college may stand in the way of a successful future. Each year the expense of college rises, resulting in the need for students to take out loans. Many students expect to immediately get a job after graduation, however, in more recent years the chances for college graduates to get a well paying job

The U.S. is home to some of the greatest colleges and universities in the world. But with an overwhelming 1.3 million students graduating with an average student loan debt of $29,000 each and with youth unemployment elevated, the question of whether or not college tuition is worth the money arises (The Institute for College Access & Success, 2013). Higher education faces intimidating challenges: continually rising costs, access and completion problems, constant changing of technology, and responsibility pressures from state and federal officials. But no challenge is more intimidating than the fundamental question that many Americans face to ask themselves, "Is college worth the cost?" As a result of the economic turn down, many students who graduate are not finding well-paying jobs, either within their field of study or not.

The increasing cost of higher education in the United States has been a continuing topic for debate in recent decades. American society emphasizes the importance of education after high school, yet the cost of higher education and advanced degrees continually rises at a greater rate than inflation in the 1970’s. According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, cost factors prevent 48% of college-qualified high school graduates from pursuing further education (McKeon, 2004, p. 45). The current system requires the majority of students to accumulate extensive debt with the expectation that they gain rewarding post-graduate employment to repay their loans.

College is very important to me because it can equip me with the tools and knowledge I need to do better in life and not just barely making it, also help me to have a more open mind set about life and knowledge. Now I understand I need a good college education and more knowledge to move ahead in life. Also college

College is a dream that almost every American wants to come true, however, with the extreme rise in the costs of tuition it is a dream that has quickly turned into a nightmare. “Tuition at a private university is now roughly three times as expensive as it was in 1974, costing an average of $31,000 a year; public tuition, at $9,000, has risen nearly four times,” (Davidson). “For the average American household that doesn 't receive a lot of financial aid, higher education is simply out of reach,” (Davidson). That is why many students have begun questioning the worth of a college degree and if the amount of debt that is received upon exiting college is all for the better. And considering that costs have risen much faster than the rate of inflation, many are starting to believe that college just isn 't necessary any more. However, according to White, economically, the answer would still be a yes. “While unemployment rates for new grads and experienced workers alike have fluctuated throughout the recession and recovery, the earnings premium that college-and advanced-degree holders enjoy over their peers who didn 't attend college has remained relatively stable, and in some instances, grown, according to the report that was released this week,” (White). A study was shown that many college grads are able to get earnings that are significantly higher than those who did not get enough education or only hold a high school diploma (White). Even

Having free college education may seem like an amazing idea at the first glance. However, because of the unique structure and the current economic situation of United State, raising taxes or heavy involvement of government in this issue most likely cause more damage and have consequences specially on middle class and working class than goods.

It is no big secret that, in America today, most high-paying jobs require a college degree. Thomas C. Frohlich of USA Today stated that “graduating from college is a prerequisite for the vast majority of high-paying jobs”(2013). With the cost of a college degree increasing in unison with demand, few can earn a degree without the help of student loans. The American Student Assistance website reports that of the twenty million students enrolled in college, about sixty percent are attending with the help of student loans (2014). Obviously, student loan debt affects the individuals that obtain them. However, it also has severe effects upon the nation’s economy.

Statistics exhibit that majority of people are unable to pay for their further education. Pew Social and Demographic Trends state, “A majority of Americans (57%) say the higher education system in the United States fails to provide students with a good value for the money they and their families spend.” Tuition rates for colleges hyperbolizes its values comparatively to the money families spend. It also proclaims, “An even larger majority- 75%- says college is too expensive for most Americans to afford.” College snatch away the money of American families at a value too high and too much for the average family to spend. Not only does college seize the money many family don’t have to begin with, but it forces families to go into debt. Working extreme hours and trying to pay for college wearies the family’s way of living. According to Pew Social and Demographic Trends, “A record share of students are leaving college with a substantial debt burden… about half say that paying off that debt made it harder to pay other bills… about a quarter say it has had an impact on their career choices.” Debts triggers a person to change their profession and causes hardships to their life in the future. High tuition rates and debts stir students away from college and jobs that they truly want. College acquire families money at an

A big question going through the minds’ of high school juniors and seniors is whether or not the cost of rising tuition, living fees, and books is truly worth the degree. The following articles discuss this topic and give specific details, statistics, and real world examples about the cost of college. Many colleges have recently raised their cost of tuition, discouraging many from considering going beyond a high school diploma. But what most people do not realize is the expenses that come with tuition. There are many fees for different classes, depending on what class and major is being pursued, the cost of books, and living expenses such as rent, utilities, transportation and meal cost. All of the

Throughout the years, America has always debated whether education is needed, If it helps students succeed or not.The argument in the past has been always over high school education, which is required. That decision has helped the US rise economically and industrially. Today, the United States is in the middle of the same debate this time, over college. Some, like David Leonhardt, a columnist for the business section of The New York Times, think a college education creates success in any job. Researchers include that Americans owe just about 1.3 trillion in student loans debt, the debt spreads out about to 44 million borrowers. In fact the average Class of 2016 graduate has $37,172 in student loans debt.The debt has risen up to six percent since last

Is college really worth the multiple years of schooling paired with the ever-increasing debt that students have to repay after they graduate? A record 18.4 million students applied to colleges in the U.S in 2009. Tuition, however, typically rises each year at a rate that surpasses the rate of the Consumer Price Index. Critics find it unfair that students have to pay tens of thousands more for an education than people did decades ago. Most students will use some type of loan for an average of 23% of their education, despite the fact that loan distributors are closing at an alarming rate. Some students will even resort to using credit cards to repay their debt, and on average, 66% of graduates have outstanding debt. In addition, unemployment

These days, going to college is hailed to be the solution, the key to making something of oneself in life. It is celebrated as a part of life that will make a person successful and rich later on. A degree is essential to making one’s way up the 21st century economy. College is meant to give people a chance at the American Dream – an education, a job, money, and quite possibly a spouse. But is that promise too good to be true? With the ridiculous price tag on college today, anything less would be criminal. Unfortunately, colleges do not guarantee an education, and yet still leave students with debt in the ten thousands, which ends up negatively affecting their job opportunities, mortgage, family, well-being, retirement, and future in general. By forcing those who pursue higher education to enter the working world with crippling debt, student loans are destroying the American Dream, leaving graduates with limited and undesirable choices in all aspects of life.

The increasing cost of higher education in the United States has been a continuing topic for debate in recent decades. American society emphasizes the importance of education after high school, yet the cost of undergraduate and advanced degrees continually rises at a greater rate than inflation. According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, cost factors prevent 48% of college-qualified high school graduates from pursuing further education (McKeon, 2004, p. 45). The current system requires the majority of students to accumulate extensive debt with the expectation that they gain lucrative post-graduate employment to repay their loans.

High school students are often stressed how important college is and how vital it will be for their future, but students often wonder if the thousands of dollars spent to further their education is worth it. According to the New York Times, “Student debt, meanwhile, has topped $1 trillion” (Leonhardt, 2014). Having that much in student debts, often questions individuals attend college or to join the work force right out of college. There are a lot of advantages of attending college as well as disadvantages of attending college. As an individual, you have to be the one to decide if it will be worth it or not. Some may view it is not worth all the debt in the long run, whereas some think it is worth every penny in the end. I have always had strong values when it came to education, therefore I think college is worth every penny.