Imagine dedicating all of your time, money, and effort to something, and it ends up being irrelevant to your life. The topic of the relevance of going to college after graduating from high school is very controversial in the United States. Many people end up going to college for four years to get their bachelor’s degree and then ending up working in a mechanic shop or dropping out halfway through their education because their heart was just not dedicated to finishing. Although higher education can be viewed as either imperative or optional, closer examination shows that higher education is only appropriate for people who have a desire to finish their education and who want to actually put their degree into practice. In the 2014 educational and historical documentary called Ivory Tower, director Andrew Rossi explains how the rise of college tuition has been studied throughout the years by many authors and historians. Rossi explains how higher education first begun by explaining how the Morrill Act established land grants to the states to begin the building of colleges. The most prevalent controversy of the purpose of college is based on monetary circumstances. Although many goods have increased in price, such as healthcare and groceries, tuition for college has increased more than any other good. As higher education costs have increased, so have the amount of loans. In 2011, 113 billion dollars were issued in student loans, while interest in student loans were 184 billion
High school graduation marks the start of young adults’ lives, a time where they are expected to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Many young adults are pressured into attending college, whether they have determined their goal or not, but is it necessary? “The Case Against College,” an article written by Linda Lee, a mother who has questioned the former belief that college equals success, claims that “not everyone needs a higher education.” College, though beneficial to many, is not for everyone and should not determine an individual’s life.
In society today, a college education is often seen as a “the next step” in a young adult’s life. Whether they actually know what they would like to earn a degree in, they feel the need to continue their education as almost everyone around them is pursuing post-secondary education of some sort. It is often argued that a college education is not necessary to get ahead because of the manufacture based workforce that is up and coming in America, however, there are many benefits to having a post-secondary education such as a higher rate of pay and more job opportunities.
In the essay “College Value Goes Deeper Than the Degree” author Eric Hoover claims a college education is important to one 's well-being so they can get a job and be productive in other parts of life. Promoters of higher education have long emphasized how beneficial college’s value and its purpose. Many believe the notion that colleges teach students are life skills to apply anywhere, they also work hard to earn a degree and learn specific marketable skills which they can use to get a good job. Though obtaining a college education and a degree is helpful in countless of ways, it is not necessary to pursue a college degree in world where a college degree is seen different now, people without turn out fine, the growing average of debt that students who attend college have to pay off and people without a degree can obtain many jobs that do not require college degrees.
For many years now, countless have debated going to college after high school. Most people think they can live blissful lives and build a good living even if they did not attend college. For several, this may be true to a certain degree. But now several if not all jobs nowadays require a high school diploma and a bachelors’ in some kind of degree. From the start, kids were always told to study hard and acquire good grades so afterward, they could get into great colleges so one could have an amazing life. College is where one’s life genuinely begins.
“In fall 2016, some 20.5 million students are expected to attend American colleges and universities, constituting an increase of about 5.2 million since fall 2000” (National Center for Education Statistics). That number seems to be rising each and ever year, and it almost seems as students feel like they have to go to college directly after high school. Maybe it is because they feel that they have to fit in, even if college is not for them. Although some students attend college for academics, sports, and other reasons, some students attend college for no apparent reason; with that in mind, students should take into consideration the time and money that is put into going to college.
Rather than associating it with financial woes and four more years of backpacks and tests, further education should be credited with helping the development of one's social skills, personal growth, and becoming a well rounded and prepared member of society. One of the most prevalent issues with sending one to college is cost. Although the majority of Americans say higher education “fails to provide students with good value for the money they and their families spend”, 86%, the majority of GRADUATES say that personally, college was the best choice (Source F). On a student to student basis, stepping out of the present and looking at the bigger picture may be the
Many high school students sometimes wonder if continuing their education after high school is truly worth it. Obtaining a four-year degree is a very expensive and time-consuming task. After graduating from college and getting a Bachelor’s degree, the goal is to find a job that fits their chosen profession and earn more money than if they would have not gone to secondary school. The worry of many students is that they will not be able to achieve this goal in finding a job with their degree or that the pay will not be worth it as they are paying off loans after graduation. People have different opinions on the matter and some do not even consider that college is not worth the money. The real question of concern is whether colleges are assisting students towards their goal and if the time and money spent on the degree is worth it to the student and family.
When one thinks of going to college, what usually comes to mind is the amount of time and money achieving a higher education requires. Many people often question whether or not seeking an education after high school is worth all the effort. Although going to college may sometimes seem difficult and unnecessary, it has been proven to be an important, beneficial chapter of young adults’ lives. The value of a college education is extremely profitable to one’s life and career due to the job opportunities it offers, the skills it allows you to learn, and the benefits it can result in later on in life.
Going to College: Not a One Size Fits All Solution Going to college is a very serious decision that can change the outcome of one’s life. Students must decide if going to college is worth it, and do so by analyzing the time and monetary commitment that it takes to go to college versus the rewards or benefits of a college degree. Many people have been talking about the idea that a college education is not worth it anymore, while at the same time, many competitive jobs state that only a bachelor degree or higher will qualify a candidate for employment. With the options, articles, and news available, it can leave many high school or returning students stumped as to whether or not college is worth it. College is not a one size fits all approach;
The decision to obtain a higher education beyond high school is no longer a question of if, but when. This is the question that author Caroline Bird discusses in her article, “College is a Waste of Time and Money,” written in 1975. This text strives to convince students, parents, and advisors that obtaining a degree might not be in the best interest for those involved. Circling around the idea that college is requirement and no longer an act of free will. Bird starts the article off strongly by building her credibility through her own personal research and other credible sources as well as appealing to readers
In today’s society, multitudes of our high school graduates are being pushed and excessively encouraged to attend college. Attending these colleges has negatively affected many college graduates, such as providing attendees debt and wasted resources on attaining a college degree. However, the pros considerably outweigh the cons on the worth of a college degree. College is worth the cost because it gives graduates' ample opportunity and success, larger wages than that of non-college graduates, and gives graduates life-skills that will stupendously bene/fit them not only in the work force, but also later in life.
Although, according to the Washington Post, 60% of society believes that college is worth the cost, in NPR’s article, “When College Isn’t Worth It”, Anya Kamenetz discusses the circumstances when attending college is not worth the cost. The three reasons Kamenetz gives for college not being worth the cost are, “If you don’t graduate”, “if you pick the wrong college”, and “if you pick the wrong degree”. In order to thoroughly support her unpopular claim and gain the support of readers, Kamenetz uses a plethora of logical statements to sway the views of readers. Kamenetz writes statistics such as, “Only 59 percent of people who begin a four- year degree, with all good intentions, actually finish.” and “Some 34 million American adults attended college but have no degree to show for it.”. These two facts alone are proof of
“70% of Americans will study at a 4-year college, but less than 2/3 will graduate” (Beckstead np). In light of this staggering statistic, we are shown that maybe college should not be a thoughtless choice. Having many interests myself, I have looked at several options to further my own career path. Upon much deliberation, I decided that best past for me is to attend a state university, After my own research, I realize that a four-year degree is not for everyone. My personal belief is that everyone needs to further their education in some field of study after high school; however, I do not think that college is the only option. Although society today will heavily push the idea of college, a college degree is a great choice but not the best choice for every young
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.
Barack Obama once said “that no matter what you do with your life I guarantee you'll need education to do it”. He might have said that because he wants kids to go to college and have a great future and just enjoy their life. A college education is valuable because people can meet and make new friends. People can receive a job and they can earn more money. If students start going to college and going to school they will most likely get a new job, most likely meet new people and make new friends, and earn more money by having a good job.