The Great College Debate Essay

The standard way of thinking about college has often given the impression that education will open doors. College is foretold to be the wisest choice a student can make to better their future with a successful, high-paying job. Yet Charles Murray, author of the article “Too Many People Are Going To College,” introduces a controversial side to the argument, believing that the decision for students to attend college is one of great importance, but the choice may be made too soon. Murray emphasizes the reasons why this situation exists and continues to be proven true in today’s society with factors such as the misleading statements to students about college and the high academic standards students must conform to.

College is an idea that many people talk about, but is college really meant for everyone?

In today's world college is a major aspect of our society. However, many argue whether or not everyone should actually go to college. Not everyone should go to college for two main reasons. Not everyone that goes to college can graduate because they don't take it seriously or they are just not smart enough and they end up just wasting money. Second, not everyone can afford college and depending on what job you get, you might acquire so much debt it will very hard to pay off later and college might not be worth it.

Whether or not everyone should go to college has been a strongly debated topic as of late. There are those who believe college is necessary in order to survive in America, in terms of jobs, future living, and general life knowledge. Then, there are others who believe that college is merely an extracurricular for those who want to expand their opportunities or further explore their own lives. Despite the countless varying arguments either for or against the belief that everyone should go to college, there still exists a constant struggle for those deciding whether or not to pursue higher education. Two very strong arguments of this debate are “Is College For Everyone?” , by Pharinet, which argues against the belief that all Americans should

This article was a very engrossing read, listing the pros and cons of college. Interestingly enough, the journalist John Cassidy leaves an insinuation that the revered idolization that is known as higher education of college is a scam. Similar to AP tests, attending college is expected of almost all students as it will give them benefits later on in life; high wages for an example. However, the expenditure for going to college is the hard fact that it will squeeze all the money from your wallet, bank account, mattress, and anything you managed to shove up your butt. This suffocation may lead some students to get a student loan and get into debt (which is something you specifically told us not to do). Add in the fact

Americans have always believed that going to college is beneficial in many aspects and leads to a promising financial future.Recently, people have started to challenge this belief. Back in the day, if you had a college degree you were almost guaranteed a job. As Sir Ken Robinson puts it “You’re better having a degree than not, but it's not a guarantee”. Robinson has a valid argument; education trumps ignorance, but at the same, you don’t always have a high paying job waiting for you. Common sense seems to dictate that if their isn’t a job awaiting you then why waste money on a degree? This imposes another debate; are colleges worth the price of admission? In Andrew Hacker’s recent studies, Hacker seeked to compose an answer. He concluded that

A former president, Theodore Roosevelt, once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are,” but yet more than 30% of students don’t attend college the following fall after graduation. As of right now, college is only an option for students, not a requirement. But as technology increases, and jobs become tougher to get a hold of, college is more of a necessity and definitely worth the price tag. It has long term benefits and increases the chances of a successful future. College is definitely worth the cost for the reasons that college graduates have a higher salary than a high school graduates, more and more jobs recently require a college degree, and college graduates more likely to have health insurance and retirement plans.

In their essay “Should Everyone Go to college,” a part of the book They Say I Say, Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill explore the advantages and disadvantages of college and examine the value of college for all individuals. Owen and Sawhills’ purpose is to put an end to the belief that a four-year degree is necessary to be successful. They adopt an informative tone to influence readers to open their minds to a new belief that college is still important but not mandatory for every student. Owen and Sawhill argue that the proposition that college is a requirement to be economically successful has failed to recognize that not everyone is created equally by reminding readers that many factors play into whether college is the right option for someone.

Higher education, college, has always been seen as a no brainer for most of us. Is that because we grew up in a place of privilege and assume college is something we deserve? Or is it because we love to learn and a university is one of the best places to do such a thing? If the answer is the latter, then college is the right choice; that is, if there is a way to pay for it. If the former fits better, then it’s time to rethink what attending a university means and take a look at the alternatives. In today’s economy, college isn’t for everybody.

In the debate about whether college is worth attending, many argue that college is worth it but others argue that college is not worth it. Those who argue that college is worth it contend to say that college graduates make more money, college allows students to explore career options, and not going to college will cost people more money in the future but on the other hand, those who argue that college is not worth it contend to say that college graduates are employed in jobs that do not require degrees, students who do not graduate waste their own money and the governments money, and student debt can cause another financial crisis for students who are already struggling with financial aid. While it is true that college does cause many problems already, college is worth attending and worth all the problems at the end of the road.

As a senior in high school, questions regarding college and my plans for the years following graduation are asked to me on a day-to-day basis. College is definitely the most important thing I am focused on this year, and although a college degree is highly valued in the job field today, many argue that not everyone should attend college due to the fact that it brings a new level of responsibility that many cannot handle, many careers now do not require a four-year degree, and because students no longer have the desire to learn.

That doesn’t mean it’s always in someone’s best interest to go to college. “By telling all young people that they should go to college no matter what, we are actually doing them a disservice,” wrote Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill in “Should Everyone Go to College?” (Downey N. pag.). You should always consider your intended occupation. A degree doesn’t always promise to make you more money than if you only had a high school education. Recognizing tuition cost is out pacing inflation, you have to make sure your degree is worth the time, money, and effort you’re about to put into it. ‘’With fast-rising tuitions and stagnant wages, fewer of us are immune from borrowing to pay for our university education. And delaying or forgoing college while we save is a difficult option: according to the Center for American Progress, weekly earnings for workers with a bachelor’s degree were $1,066 in 2012, compared to $652 for workers with a high school diploma. Those without a degree are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed. For many, going to college, then, is simultaneously a rational economic choice and an economic disaster’’ (Clark N. pag.). Often if a four-year degree isn’t right for someone they might try a different, cheaper route such as; training certification, a trade school, or online courses (Downey N.

In the final years of high school, students will start to question the importance of a college education and what they think would be the best fit for them. This is a topic that everyone struggles with or even get asked about a lot. In an article called Higher Education a Worthwhile Journey by John Dever, he explains that “From a public policy perspective, the issue is whether it makes sense to continue to promote wide access to higher education. From the perspective of individual choice, the issue is whether college is worth the cost in terms of time and expense, particularly given the startling fact that student debt now exceeds what consumers owe by credit card.” Students should not be thinking about the cost of everything, but be thinking about, what they want to study in college or even what college could open their eyes to see. College offers a myriad of benefits beyond promise of a higher salary.

The day has come to move out of the house; the excitement of one 's 18th birthday has faded into time that seems as if it were centuries ago. This leaves many students asking where do they go now? Many young adults choose the college path, the path in pursuit of a higher education. As graduating high school students we are fast approaching a theoretical wall known as life, we are in need of a detour. In this day and age we see more high school graduates planning to pursue a higher education. Socially, going to college is the expected next step, but there are a myriad of reasons beyond peer pressure that cause graduates to strive for a higher education and the respect that is associated with it. Beyond being a couple buffer years between high school and “the real world”, a college degree can lead to job security, increased wages, and a healthier life.

As senior get to ready reach towards the end of their high school journey, many question what their future holds. Some already know college is for them, but not everyone does. Is college the path they really should go to? Is college worth it? College is imperative because students expand their knowledge, giving students higher chances of getting paid more by just attending college. In our society and the world we live in, a college degree will mostly likely guarantee a job compared to those who didn’t attend complete or at least attempt for a degree. Dan Rather claims, “A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity” (Rather). Although many argue that college is too expensive and not worth the sacrifice, it is indeed an essential sacrifice to help in one’s life for a better future. Former President Obama explained, "Education helps us be better people. It helps us be better citizens. You came to college to learn about the world and to engage with new ideas and to discover the things you're passionate about -- and maybe have a little fun. And to expand your horizons. That's terrific -- that’s a huge part of what college has to offer” (Obama). College is worth it because a college degree can lead to a better higher paying job and the college experience allows students to grow independently with a creative educated mindset and promises a bright future.