Many students feel the pressure set on by their parents to attend college after they graduate, but with the financial burdens college comes with, it's hard to see the amazing things that come with obtaining a degree. Studies have found that with a higher level of education, they receive higher pay from better jobs and an overall better quality of life. On the other hand, sometimes college puts personal lives on hold due to financial debt and causes emotional instability that comes from immense responsibility. Yet the question remains; is receiving a higher level of education beyond a high school diploma worth the emotional and financial cost? College may be worth it depending on three considerations which are considering different schools that offer your desired major, the income and quality of life you receive with and without a degree, and your financial stability and willingness to pay off student loans.
When one is passionate about what they are going to school for, it makes taking all those classes, spending all that money, and being away from your family a little bit easier. However, some universities simply do not offer the major that someone may want. If someone was going to college and majoring in something that made them unhappy, it could lead to skipping, failing, and possibly dropping out of classes. With the evidence found in Document B, it is found that majors like, “chemical engineering, computer science, finance, [etc.],” were majors that made the most money (Document B). This possibly means that these majors are offered at almost every school because they are sought after the most. However, for someone like me, who has a passion for music and the arts, it’s hard to find a college that accommodates my unorthodox career choice. Thus proving that if your desired major is offered at the college you would like to go to, then college may be worth it, but if it is not and you do not see yourself succeeding in college, then maybe it isn’t for you.
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In addition to the possible major choices, the income you receive post-degree is also important. There are many cases where studies have shown that those with college educations are more eligible for better-paying jobs, ultimately resulting in a higher income, yet there are many intelligent famous people who are well off financially without a college degree. In the background essay, it states, “Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, Twenty-one time Grammy winner Kanye West, and Steve Jobs...? None of them graduated from college” (Background Essay). This proves that extremely successful and wealthy people got to their positions without seeking a college degree to do so for them. It is also smart, however, to keep in mind that that is very rare. In Document D, it talks about the quality of life associated with obtaining higher and lower levels of education stating that those with higher education have, “longer life expectancies, healthier eating habits, [etc.]” while those who have lower education experience, “jobs with greater risk injuries, lack of healthy habits, reduce job opportunities, [etc.]” (Document D). There are risks when relying on the experiences of others to determine the path you choose. You may not experience the same thing as Kanye West.
Lastly, one of the most important considerations is one’s financial stability and dedication to paying off student loans. Multiple documents, like Documents E, F, and G, discuss the trials and tribulations that come with having student debt. In Document F, it shows the “Average College Tuition, Fees, Room & Board in 2014 Dollars,” showing that a nonprofit four-year university costs around $43,000 (Document F). In addition to that, Document G, discusses the cons that come with paying off student loans stating that they’re, “the biggest non-mortgage debt burden in America” leading to things like, “[living] with parents, [postponing] marriages, and [postponing] having babies” (Document G). On the other hand, President Barack Obama gave a speech discussing the liberties one must take when handling loans. All of these documents are up to interpretation by one who is deciding whether or not to go to college.
To conclude, college will always be an option, yet it is vital to take into consideration that it is not for everyone. Including all of the previously mentioned, it’s important to discuss the toll that college can have on your emotional and mental health. The opportunity cost of both options is up to your interpretation. If working straight out of high school and saving that money to buy a home or start a family is more important, then college is not for you. However, if you are willing to spend money on an education to obtain a degree and potentially get a higher and better-paying job at the opportunity cost of pausing your personal life, then college is the option to look into. Nonetheless, both options have their pros and cons and it is purely up to what you know will make you succeed in the long run.
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