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How Important Is College?
Sure, there are plenty of high-paying jobs that don't require a college degree. But how important is college, really? Consider this: The financial, health, and quality of life benefits of a college degree far outweigh the drawbacks, and with a degree, the world could be your oyster.
Show Me the Money
According to the Postsecondary Education Opportunity Research Letter, the lifetime income of families headed by bachelor's degree-holders averages about $1.6 million more than those headed by diploma-only individuals. The College Board says that in 2003, the typical year-round, full-time worker with a four-year degree earned a full 62 percent more than the same worker with only a high school diploma. Those with master's degrees earned twice as much, and those with professional degrees earned more than three times as much. And statistically, with every year that passes, the earnings gap widens.
A Healthy Future
Studies repeatedly show that those with college degrees have longer life spans, better health coverage, better health practices, less dependence on government assistance, greater community involvement, more self-confidence, less chance of engaging in risky behaviors, and greater economic security and stability than those with high school diplomas only. Plus, the children of college-educated parents perform better at school, and are more likely to attend college themselves.
A Happy Life
A college degree provides you with a more well-rounded understanding of the world and your place in it. This opens your eyes to a wider variety of career choices, a greater sense of how to effect change, more ease with using technology and research tools, and sharper critical thinking tools. And those with college degrees find more opportunities in life and at work than those who don't have them.
The following schools can provide you with more information about attending college:
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