Why it Pays to Pay for College A college education, while valuable can be difficult to obtain. 94 percent of parents say that they expect their children to attend college, yet today most people in the United States never do (Pew Research Center). “The main barrier is financial,” which is made evident by the fact that 75 percent of Americans agree that college is too expensive for most Americans (Pew Research Center). This makes it necessary to ask the question: “Is it even worth it to go to college?” Despite its great cost, a college education is a worthwhile investment because it helps to advance students not only financially, but also professionally and intellectually. College is expensive. Most people cannot afford to go to college and
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Many colleges have specialized programs that are designed to give students the specialized experience they will need to begin working in their fields. A majority of college graduates surveyed (55 percent) said that college education was very useful in helping them prepare for a job or career (Pew Research Center). More than just specific experiences though, colleges teach students invaluable lessons about being an adult and being independent that carry over to benefit them in various aspects of life. A college degree is not entirely necessary for success. As Crawford quotes the Princeton economist, Alan Blinder, “The crucial distinction in the emerging labor market is not between those with more or less education, but between those whose services can be delivered.” Although a college education can help someone be able to use technology to perform specialized tasks, as Blinder puts it, “You can’t hammer a nail over the internet” (Crawford). There is a high demand for people who work with their hands because many jobs require people do just do them, and those jobs are so much less likely to be outsourced, creating job stability. It is entirely possible to make a living without a college degree and to be happy, especially since working with one’s hands can be very rewarding. That doesn’t mean that college is not worthwhile. Having a degree makes it much easier to get hired and to be financially stable in almost any profession. “A bachelor’s degree pays off for jobs that don’t require one: secretaries, plumbers, and cashiers” (Leonhardt). Despite not being entirely necessary, a college education remains a wise
Many colleges have specialized programs that are designed to give students the specialized experience they will need to begin working in their fields. A majority of college graduates surveyed (55 percent) said that college education was very useful in helping them prepare for a job or career (Pew Research Center). More than just specific experiences though, colleges teach students invaluable lessons about being an adult and being independent that carry over to benefit them in various aspects of life. A college degree is not entirely necessary for success. As Crawford quotes the Princeton economist, Alan Blinder, “The crucial distinction in the emerging labor market is not between those with more or less education, but between those whose services can be delivered.” Although a college education can help someone be able to use technology to perform specialized tasks, as Blinder puts it, “You can’t hammer a nail over the internet” (Crawford). There is a high demand for people who work with their hands because many jobs require people do just do them, and those jobs are so much less likely to be outsourced, creating job stability. It is entirely possible to make a living without a college degree and to be happy, especially since working with one’s hands can be very rewarding. That doesn’t mean that college is not worthwhile. Having a degree makes it much easier to get hired and to be financially stable in almost any profession. “A bachelor’s degree pays off for jobs that don’t require one: secretaries, plumbers, and cashiers” (Leonhardt). Despite not being entirely necessary, a college education remains a wise