*Updated 2024
Back in 2015, Goldman Sachs released a report contending that, for many students, the ROI of a college education is DOA. However, a more recent analysis by consulting firm HEA Group asserts that graduates from most colleges earned a higher annual income than those with only a high school diploma a decade after enrollment. Many issues (like student debt) need to be weighed before considering whether college is the best decision. Today, an estimated 33% of adults age 25 or older have a college degree. Does this number signify that higher education lives up to its mission of molding the movers and shakers of the future, or does it suggest that we take a step back from this long-revered system?
Below, we’ll look at three reasons to enroll in college and three reasons to strike a different path.
University of Life
College degrees are not a requirement for high wages.
Who isn’t willing to part with a fair amount of money in exchange for unobstructed plumbing or working electricity? The consistently high demand for plumbers, electricians, and other vocations (and even non-vocations) garner their practitioners handsome wages that are generally comparable with (if not higher than) positions pursued by degree-holders. For example, the starting and even median salary and growth for a plumber is on par with that of a teacher. To be sure, both plumbers and teachers deal with plenty of crap, but the plumber pays significantly less than the amount that a teacher pays to begin his/career, and begins earning and advancing sooner, too. (Not to mention, plumbers aren’t exposed to the fear and stress related to possible gun violence at their place of work.) So, is college worth it? Let’s remember that elbow grease can be just as effective as a college education when it comes to making a living.
Colleges fail to promote thought diversity.
One of the central goals of higher education is to broaden the mind by presenting students with a range of ideas that force undergrads to challenge their assumptions. But many have argued that liberality of thought at university extends only to students on the left side of the political spectrum. In fact, a study suggests that in recent years, on campuses of top colleges, Democratic professors have outnumbered Republicans 9 to 1. Add to this the regular exclusion of Conservative speakers on college campuses in the recent past, and the current rise of cancel culture in academia, university campuses are little more than a canvas for progressive hegemony, one with little hope of genuinely liberalizing its student body.
College really isn’t about learning anymore.
One of the central goals of higher education is to broaden the mind by presenting students with a range of ideas that force undergrads to challenge their assumptions. However, many have argued that the liberality of thought at university extends only to students on the left side of the political spectrum. In fact, a study suggests that in recent years, on campuses of top colleges, over the years, Democratic professors have increasingly outnumbered Republicans; and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Add to this the regular exclusion of Conservative speakers on college campuses in the recent past, and the current rise of cancel culture in academia, university campuses are little more than a canvas for progressive hegemony, one with little hope of genuinely liberalizing its student body.
University is Life
College and good health are bedfellows.
A University of Maine study found a positive correlation between holding a post-secondary degree and good health. In fact, college graduates were shown to be 44 percent more likely to be in “good” or “very good” health than their non-degree-holding peers. They smoke less, exercise more, and live longer. Research shows that regardless of the subject studied, college graduates have increased access to healthcare and higher overall awareness of the lifestyle choices that support longevity and ultimately help them to fend off diseases like heart disease and cancer – diseases which dog the less educated. So, is college worth it? You bet!
A degree promises a more stable future.
Education is a leading factor in determining one’s economic fortunes. Analysis of Labor Department data revealed that individuals who held degrees from four-year college programs earned nearly twice as much as individuals without a degree. College degrees seem to offer more than just financial incentives. Over half of surveyed college grads reported feeling “very satisfied” at work. Similarly, a dissertation study showed that college graduates also lead more fulfilling personal lives (thanks to social skills acquired in college), are less stressed than non-degree holders, and have more resources to offer their children. The benefits of college extend not only to finances but also to one’s overall quality of life.
Universities push society forward.
Universities excel in convening the world’s brightest minds to propel the whole of society forward. University researchers tackle nature’s and society’s most pressing questions: Can the economy survive a reduction in carbon emissions? Wondering about the likelihood of life on other planets? Can you eat chocolate cake for breakfast and still lose weight? More than the in-gathering of experts, universities create an environment of inquiry and exchange that not only facilitates the passage of specialized knowledge but also ensures that the next generation of thinkers develops the critical thinking skills required to address the issues that will affect humanity in the future. When one asks if college is worth it, it’s worth considering its positive impact on society as a whole.
The Bottom Line: College offers a variety of benefits, both concrete and intangible. But college is no crystal ball, as the likes of Bill Gates can testify. Where do you stand regarding the question, is college worth it? Do the intangible benefits of college still outweigh the downturn in its economic benefit, or is it time society starts seeking new avenues to develop careers and minds?
