Why Not Go To College

Education is becoming ridiculously expensive, yet at the same time, is now one of the most vital things to survive in this changing world. One of the oldest colleges in American history, Harvard University, founded in 1636, costs $60,659 for tuition, room, board and fees combined. But was it always this expensive? What percentage of 20-somethings actually even went to college back when it all first began? Today, it is almost a given that when high school is done, you are supposed to go to college. As of 2013, the total number of students enrolled in colleges in the United States is 14 million, and that number is expected to reach 20 million by the next few years. But when students go to college in the 21st century, they face many challenges that weren’t faced 50 years ago, such as tuition fees and being accepted into a school. Not only that, but the job market is much more competitive than ever. So why is this occurring? And maybe the most important question: What can be done to change it? Over three hundred years ago, college only costed about ten shillings per quarter, or ten cents. However, in the early 1700s, only 4% of Americans went to college. So why did so few people decide not to go to college if it was so cheap? Well, back then, families couldn’t afford to lose an able-bodied person, and when living costs at college were added onto that, most parents just couldn’t pay for it. Because of that, only the most elite sector of the population ended up going to college. Fast forward to our independence year, and if you can’t remember, I’m …show more content…
Students who want to make a lot of money, who might want to be a dentist or lawyer, will have to go to college and several graduate or law/medical schools afterwards (that is, if they get in). But, of course, all of those schools cost big bucks, and it does add up. Once a student finishes all of that schooling, who’s to say they’ll even get their dream job, let alone a job at