Is a College Degree Really Worth It? Essay

Elementary school, middle school, high school, college―that’s how we’re told our education careers should go. After college you go on and get a job based on the degree you received. Seems simple right? According to Erik Lowe in his Seattle Times article “Keep Washington’s College Tuition Affordable,” he informs that people in his generation are the first to be less educated than their parents, in the United States. He explains that this is due to the high cost of tuition followed by a huge amount of student loan debt. Lowe believes that there needs to be a significant change in the country’s higher education systems (in reference to the tuition costs) or the decline of college attendance will continue. There needs to be a decrease of

The higher a degree one has the more money they make. As one’s degree goes up, as does their earning gap. “...individuals with a four-year college degree earned about 43% more on average than those with only a high school degree...” (FRBSF Economic letter). The more education you have the more money you make. If you have only a high school diploma then you will make significantly less. College is an investment and it pays itself back the farther you get in the working world. “...the difference between earnings continues such that the average college graduate earns over $800,000 more than the average high school graduate by retirement age...” It also drastically lowers the rate of unemployment, ” (FRBSF Economic letter). You are earning close to a million dollars more than you would otherwise with a degree. Making money is key in survival, this day and age. The more money, the more power, and success in the business world.

Many people believe that a college education is a worthy investment. The ability to become a college graduate will result in making more money. There are more jobs in today’s society that require college degrees. College graduates develop more and better employment opportunities within earning a degree. Self-discipline is a major element in becoming a successful graduate. Also, college graduates are healthier and live longer. Adults-young and old, male and female-who have a bachelor’s degree or higher have twice the annual median income than someone with only a high school degree ("Do college graduates," 2014).

One of the biggest overall benefits of having a college education to some degree after a high school diploma is the most obvious: the considerably higher pay rate that is available for those careers that often times require a degree. It’s a common misconception that big amounts of money will just come pouring in after they walk across the stage with their degree, however, the real benefits start stacking up you begin to pay off student loans and the are now being employed in a career within your degree specifications. A study done by Georgetown University proved that graduates from college “earn $1 million more in earnings over their lifetime” as compared to those who only had a high school diploma (Cornerstone). As well as that, another study done by the Pew Research Center found that in 2012, there was a HUGE average yearly income gap “between high school and college graduates” of around $17,500

We are told to “go to college” by family, media, and teachers, but we are never given an explanation on why it’s important for us to get a higher education. The importance of higher education is so we can obtain a career that can support our needs and wants. It’s also important because it gives you an advantage when trying to get a job. Employers require a higher form of education, which is necessary for our society to advance. There aren’t many jobs that accept people with a high school diploma as their highest form of education. Employers want people that know what they’re doing, and so does our society. In order for people to go into the career field they want, they need to go to college to learn everything that comes with that career.

Achieving a college degree is worth the time and effort as well as the financial struggle because there is more to be gained besides context knowledge. College is something that has dropped in importance as less and less people attend every year. These students are unsure as to whether it is worth it.Parents push their kids towards college and some even tell them not to go because of financial problems. This pressure students to make a life changing decision. This is all things that may keep a student from a secondary education that could kick-start a new and better life.

Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill report that bachelor’s degree holders make on average around 10% more than those with high school diplomas. They also write that a college education improve one’s standard of living. Gaining a bachelor’s degree is not accomplishable by everyone due to different reasons, so only a select few will be able to receive these benefits, given colleges’ selectivity.

There are many options and paths someone can take in choosing to go to college or not but a question to ask is, is it worth it? If the decision is made to go to college then one of the first things to decide on is an area of study and then looking into where that topic of study is available, which can be a big undertaking. Some options that are out there are a four year college, community colleges and vocational or technical schools. Another option would be not going to college at all, but ask

From what I have read online statistics show someone with a high school diploma will make $1,116,600 while someone with a bachelor’s degree will make $2,048,204. College presents you with many challenges. Including independence, stress, working with others, and dealing with life problems as the same

Many college students choose to also get more than one degree while attending college to earn more income and further their education. College graduates have the choice of get higher level degrees and training resulting in earn even more income based on the different higher level degrees earned and training received (this means the more degrees and training you have the more income you may receive). People with higher level degrees and training earn more money that those without degrees. In 1996, for example, workers with bachelor's degrees had median annual earnings of about $36,000, while college graduates with more advanced degrees earned around $40,000 (Mittelhauser 3). This is a four-thousand dollar difference in income; this is only one of several examples of how people who graduate college make more money than the average high school graduate and that of people with lower-level degrees. The median annual wage for a bachelor’s degree in 2010 was $63,430. While the median annual wage for a person with a doctoral or professional degree in 2010 was $87,500 ("Employment by Education and Training Assignment, 2010 and Projected 2020"). This is almost a twenty-four thousand difference income just based off of median annual wage of different degrees. The income difference from college graduates than to those of high school graduates is great. College graduates are getting better wages and job openings than those of high school graduates (“President’s Perspective:

As adolescents begin their senior year, the topic of college often runs without hindrance, often causing extreme stress. As the monetary value, as well as the time spent, begins to accumulate in their minds, students often find themselves bound at the wrists figuring out a way to balance as well as afford college living. In many cases, the upcoming graduates are unsure about their career path, almost enhancing their stress in choosing a school that would cater to their needs. It is almost then they begin to ponder whether or not University/college life is for them, which is could be an extremely advantageous shot in a, for example, high achieving family. Whilst college does allow for a plethora of doors to be opened, the lack of time, effort, and money can hinder one 's ability to properly choose a university. Though school can help with the stepping stones of life, they do not entirely ensure a proper future, therefore many may opt out of school; however, with the correct actions, they may turn out extremely successful, which may not have even happened without the release of the burden of school.

Individuals who say it is not worth going to college would argue that college is a waste of time but can agree that college graduates make more money than non-college graduates. College graduates with a four year degree make more money than a high school graduate. For example, these statistics from an online source explains that “On average, a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree earned $30,000 more per year than a high school graduate, or about $500,000 more over a lifetime, as of Apr. 2013. The bachelor’s degree makes a huge difference than a high school diploma. The majority of high school graduates want to work when they graduate high

Beginning at an early age, children who are encouraged academically by their parents, educators, and coaches will grow up with the realization that a thorough education will provide for them—financially and professionally—in the future. One of the first things that we are taught is that if we graduate with a degree from college, then we will have a better job and more opportunities in the future. There are many instances where this rings true. According to Brookings Institution publication “an individual with a college degree is nearly nine times more likely to make over $100,000 than someone with only a high school diploma and 13 times more likely to make more

To most people college is their goal at succeeding in life. Whether you get a scholarship or pay yourself, college is expensive. To some it is a waste of time and money due to the fact that, graduates are not getting their money's worth in their degree, they are burdened by student loans, and their degree does not guarantee them a job. With that and a growing tuition rate, most people can't afford a higher education. College is simply not worth the cost anymore.

Many people in the United States view college as being an excellent use of time and money. College is an opportunity to further your education and get the job of your dreams. Many employers will hire someone with a Bachelor’s degree over those with just a high school diploma because, college teaches many important skills giving these students the advantage. Mikahail Zinshteyn from HechingerReport reported that college graduates with a Bachelor’s degree scored higher on a literacy test than those without a degree. The study also showed that college graduates that earned a Bachelor’s degree got the top score on the literacy test three times more often than those with just a high school diploma