Why go to college?
You have probably asked yourself this question at one time or another. Maybe you are right now.
After looking at the growing price tag of most college degrees and the time it takes to earn them, it’s not surprising that you would ask questions like:
- “Why should I go to college? Is a college degree a good return on investment and will I be able to pay back my student debt?”
- “Will the time and effort I invest in a college degree be worth it?”
- “Is college that important? What will college teach me that I can’t learn from my job or my everyday life?”
To answer these questions, let’s take a closer look at the possible benefits of a college degree.
In a recent poll by College Board/National JournalNext America,
“Ninety percent of those who pursued higher education immediately after high school said they would do so again—while a majority of those who moved from high school directly into the workforce said that if they could reconsider their choice today, they would instead seek more education.”
Going to college can open doors to new opportunities, broader career options, and better chances for personal and professional growth that you may not otherwise find. As a college student, you’ll get to experience new areas of interest, expand your vision of possibilities, develop new friendships and networking connections, establish and accomplish difficult goals, push yourself, and define yourself in ways that you cannot imagine.
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So, why is college important? Let’s get into the data and statistics shall we?
8 Reasons Why You Should Go To College
- Potential To Earn More
- Increased Job Qualifications
- Greater Job Security
- Better Living Situations
- Get Acccess to Career-Track Jobs
- Larger Social Network
- Larger Professional Network
- Be a Postive Influence on Your Kids and Future Generations
What things should you think about when considering college? Find out, here.
1. Potential To Earn More
The Bureau of Labor Statistics research found that, on average, college graduates with a bachelor’s degree typically earn up to almost 65% more per year than those with a high school diploma or its equivalent and almost 40% more than those with an associate degree. When we compare national median annual earnings of someone with a bachelor’s and someone with a high school diploma, that’s a difference of almost $24,000 each year in expected gross income. Don’t want a bachelor’s? Even an associate degree helps. An associate degree graduate typically earns about 6.5% or $6,500 more each year than those with a high school diploma. That difference starts to add up after a short while.
According to The U.S. Social Security Administration, those who only finish high school are anticipated to earn about $1.54 million over their lifetime, some college to earn about $1.76 million. A bachelor’s degree holder may earn around $2.43 million. Add more college to earn a graduate degree and that could increase to about $3.05 million.
2. Increased Job Qualifications
Your potential job options increase with a college degree. About 32% of jobs in the U.S. require an associate or bachelor’s degree and an additional 14% require a master’s or professional degree. By earning a degree, you automatically give yourself the opportunity to apply for the 46% of U.S. jobs that now require a secondary degree.
3. Greater Job Security
According to employment projections released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, having an associate degree suggests that you may be 26% less likely to be unemployed than those with a high school diploma. By earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree, this same data says that your likelihood of unemployment decreases even more by between 46-52%.
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4. Better Living Situations
According to The U.S. Census Bureau almost 12.7% of those with a high school diploma as their highest level of education live in poverty. Only 8.8% of those with some college education and 4.8% of those with a bachelor’s degree live in poverty.
5. Get Access to Career-Track Jobs
When considering why you should go to college, it’s worth imagining what your life is going to be 10, 20, or even 30 years down the road. What do you want your future to look like? Attending college will help you figure out a realistic plan for accomplishing your goals. It will also prepare you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to progress in your chosen career field.
6. Larger Social Network
Attending college isn’t just about studying and attending lectures – it will also give you the chance to discover activities you’ve never tried before, meet people from different backgrounds and parts of the world, support causes that are important to you and explore new ideas, art forms, and cultures. The benefit of learning from your fellow students is also very valuable – the discussions you get into when you’re surrounded by people studying different subjects and pursuing different paths will give you new ways to look at the world around you.
7. Larger Professional Network
Attending a good college gives you the chance to make friends and connections, opening doors for your future career. Just how important is networking? According to Matt Youngquist, the president of Career Horizons:
“Most jobs aren’t posted or advertised publicly…. At least 70 percent, if not 80 percent, of jobs are not published… And yet most people — they are spending 70 or 80 percent of their time surfing the net versus getting out there, talking to employers, taking some chances [and] realizing that the vast majority of hiring is friends and acquaintances hiring other trusted friends and acquaintances.”
It’s never too early to get started networking and you’re more likely to get career help and advice from alumni and other professional contacts while you’re still a student. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply for internships or join professional groups and organizations that may be more available to you as a student or alumni. If you make connections while you’re in college, you’ll find that you have a great collection of friends and professional contacts to help when you’re searching for a job.
8. Be a Postive Influence on Your Kids and Future Generations
You may not have kids and they may not be in your picture for another 5-10 years. But, whether you have your own children, have nieces or nephews, or you just want to be a good example for future generations, getting your college degree will help.
A recent poll by College Board/National JournalNext America found that a parent’s educational attainment and attitude toward education is now a stronger indicator of a child’s educational attainment than parent’s income; parent’s income used to be the highest predictor of a child’s educational achievements.
Just under 60% of those with no-degree families reported finishing college, compared with almost 70% of those from families with two- and one-degrees. Additionally, 55% of children from two-degree families reported earning a college or postgraduate degree, whereas only 23% of children from no-degree families reported earning a degree.
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Things to Remember When Thinking About College
Just Get Started and Be Flexible
Keeping your options open is recommended and is very helpful. As many successful graduates will tell you, the best-laid plans often give way to more exciting opportunities, and sometimes starting down a path will give you a much clearer idea of what you want to do in the future, even if you end up diverting from that path.
Some individuals who search for reasons to go to college simply suffer from commitment phobia. Don’t look at college as a long-term contract that you’re not going to be able to get out of once you start. And don’t feel like you need to decide on a major area of study before starting college.
College is a time for you to test yourself, explore your interests, see what the possibilities are, and to see what you can achieve. And don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most other students attending college are going to be in the exact same boat you’re in.
There are also a variety of resources, provided by most universities, to help you through college, including academic advisors, professors accessible on campus, tutoring academic support, full-time counseling staff, and more.
While the prospect of attending college may seem daunting, even suffocating, don’t forget that you still can live your life and make it an exciting one.
You’ll be able to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, join social groups, maintain a job, or even pursue a career while completing your studies. You may even find that college ends up being much more enjoyable and fulfilling than you expected.
Deciding Which College is Best for You
Sometimes when students wonder, “why should I go to college,” they are actually just nervous about picking the right college or the right college major for them. There isn’t necessarily a “best” college or major. Each college and study area offers a different experience and unique educational opportunities.
Your task shouldn’t be to identify the top-ranked colleges but rather to figure out which college is best for you, based on the areas of study you are interested in. Your choice of college will depend on your personal and career interests, occupational goals as well as past academic record. If you’re still in high school you should talk with your high school counselor about your options.
Consider attending any open houses provided by local colleges in your area, use the Internet to research colleges that fit your expectations and requirements, and contact individual colleges to speak with their guidance and admission counselors.
Sometimes larger, prestigious or “Ivy League” type universities can seem very attractive. However, you may discover (hopefully sooner rather than later) that you prefer a smaller, less prestigious, community, or church-affiliated college. Bigger isn’t necessarily better, especially when it comes to a college education.
When considering reasons to go to college and where you want to go, think about the environments you are most comfortable in. There are a large variety of smaller colleges and community colleges that can provide you an excellent education without the big school feel.
The only way to really find out what you want is to take the time to visit each college campus, take an organized campus tour, meet people and teachers if you can, sit in on a lecture or two, and experience the atmosphere.
You’ll get the most out of your college experience if you take the time now to investigate your options and stay open to any possibilities.
It’s also important to know that earning a degree from an Ivy League school or private college can be very expensive and there is no guarantee that you’ll get a great job once you get your degree.
In fact, there is typically only a marginal difference in future earnings for those who earn their degree at an Ivy League school versus those who earn their degree from another reputable college.
Having Trouble Affording College? Consider Financial Aid
Where there’s a will there’s a way. If you’re really interested in attending college but don’t have the funds right now don’t get overly concerned. There are several ways to finance your college education.
Financial aid programs include scholarships, grants, student loans and prepaid tuition. At many larger colleges and universities, you’ll also find on-campus jobs that offer flexible schedules to accommodate your personal life and studies.
With so many ways to finance your education, instead of wondering “Why should I go to college?”, the question becomes — “Why shouldn’t I?”
Compare, Ponder, Decide, and Maintain Realistic Expectations
As with any major decision, you’ll want to consider all of your options. Compare costs, living and learning environments, and the overall benefits of attending one college over another.
Consider what things are most important on your list of needs and wants and which school can provide the greatest number of them.
As you make plans for your future, be sure to spend some time thinking and writing about what it is you want to do with your life. What do you wish to accomplish long-term? What are your career and future family goals?
Once you start college, have kind and realistic expectations of yourself. You won’t be a perfect student and your college experience won’t be perfect. It can, however, be extremely worthwhile and life-changing.
While going to college does not guarantee happiness or success, it can open up doors and help create opportunities and options for your future.
Earn Your Associate or Bachelor’s Degree Online. You May Qualify For $6,095 in Grants!
Sources:
- NCES – programs
- The Atlantic – Are College Degrees Inherited?
- NPR – Networking Helps Find Jobs
- BLS.gov – Chart
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FAQs
Why is it important for you to go to college? ›
College is important for many reasons, including increased career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact on your community. With more and more careers requiring advanced education, a college degree can be critical to your success in today's workforce.
What are at least 3 reasons why you may choose to go to college? ›- Create Job Security. Having a degree or certification means you've gained specialized knowledge in your field. ...
- Develop Skills. ...
- Build a Professional Network. ...
- Gain a Competitive Edge. ...
- Potentially Earn a Higher Income. ...
- Achieve Independence. ...
- Discover Your Passion. ...
- Broaden Your Perspective.
A bachelor's degree or higher can help you thrive in today's economy by providing more career options with higher earning potential, better health insurance, and greater job stability. ¹ But college is so much more than a stepping stone to a job with more money.
Should all students go to college? ›College isn't for everyone, but it should be available to anyone who wants to attend. A college education is useful both because of the skills it imparts and because of the signal that a degree can send to employers.
Why is college worth? ›College Graduates Earn More Than Non-Graduates
Despite the rising cost of post-secondary education, a college degree still pays off for the majority of graduates. On average, those with a bachelor's degree earn significantly more than their peers with only a high school diploma.
- You will be more marketable. ...
- Access to more job opportunities. ...
- Higher earning potential. ...
- Opportunity to change industries. ...
- Greater job stability.
College life are the best part in every person's life. College life is a time full of experiences and learning many new things . It becomes a place where a person has many things that define a person, there is no doubt that the time spent in our college becomes the best time for our lives.
Why is going to college better? ›College graduates make more money.
The average college graduate makes $570,000 more than the average high school graduate over a lifetime. [126] Career earnings for college graduates are 71% to 136% higher than those of high school graduates.
College authorities want to know more about your academic interests and commitments. Talk about the specific educational, research, and other academic opportunities offered by the college that appeal to you. Expand on this idea by talking about how these opportunities help support your future goals.
What do we learn in college? ›But college is an important time for you to learn how to dress, speak, write and carry yourself like the professional you will soon become. Other important skills include day-to-day employment essentials, such as working on a team, handling big projects, and staying organized.
Why did you choose our college answer? ›
“I have chosen this University for four reasons. Number one, I carried out extensive research into the University, your track record of achievement and the support you provide for your students. During my research, everything pointed to this being a positive, supportive, and encouraging place for me to learn and study.
What is college life? ›College Life is one of the most remarkable and lovable times of an individual's life. Unlike School Life, College Life has a different experience, and a person needs to have this experience in his/her life. College Life exposes us to whole new experiences which we always dream of experiencing after our school life.
Why should college be free? ›Research shows that free tuition programs encourage more students to attend college and increase graduation rates, which creates a better-educated workforce and higher-earning consumers who can help boost the economy.
What was the original purpose of college? ›Religious denominations established most early colleges in order to train ministers. They were modeled after Oxford and Cambridge universities in England, as well as Scottish universities. Harvard College was founded by the Massachusetts Bay colonial legislature in 1636, and named after an early benefactor.
Does college really matter? ›While it depends on who you ask, and the data you crunch, to find an answer about whether a person's chosen school really, truly matters, attending college and earning a degree is generally an achievement that opens new career opportunities and leads to higher lifetime earning potential.
Do you need college to be successful? ›If your ideal career can be started, sustained, and grown without a college degree, then you can probably be successful without college. However, if higher education is absolutely required for your chosen profession, there might not be any other way around the need to get a college degree to include on your resumé.
Should I stay in college? ›Staying in college allows one to get a degree, which is vital for better job opportunities, increased earning potential, improved self-esteem and self-confidence, and a more fulfilling career.
Why is college so fun? ›In college, you will gain so many new friends — from your new living or studying spaces, from classes, extracurricular activities, and part-time work. This leads to a much richer social life than the one you may have had during high school. Your social calendar will be much more varied as well.
Does life get better after college? ›The ability to make more money and get your life and career started is a major reason that life gets better after college. The more time you can spend working on growing your career and learning to enjoy your life while making money, the more you will feel that your degree has paid off.
How does college help society? ›College graduates have lower smoking rates, more positive perceptions of personal health, and lower incarceration rates than individuals who have not graduated from college. Higher levels of education are correlated with higher levels of civic participation, including volunteer work, voting, and blood donation.
How does college prepare you for the real world? ›
Job Experience – One of the biggest benefits of working through college is the valuable on-the-job experience you will have. Not only will you have your education and training, you will have actual experience that you can put on your resume. This is something that potential employers like to see.
How do you describe a college? ›an institution of higher learning, especially one providing a general or liberal arts education rather than technical or professional training. Compare university. a constituent unit of a university, furnishing courses of instruction in the liberal arts and sciences, usually leading to a bachelor's degree.
Is it important to go to college essay? ›A college education always increases the confidence level in students. The sense of duty and responsibility is the way of human development. Because when someone responsible for their own works and duties, it will help a nation to build a social and economic development environment.
How does college give you more opportunities? ›Pursuing a college education also expands your access to opportunities by connecting you to a lifelong network of colleagues, advisors, professors, and mentors. Over the course of your career, this network can open doors and connect you to industry leaders with whom you can share ideas and explore new ventures.
Why did I choose this college essay? ›The "why this college" essay is essentially looking for three things: Proof that you understand what makes this college different and special. Evidence that you'll be a good fit at this school. Evidence that this college will, in turn, be a good fit for you.
Why should I be accepted? ›Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results. You never know what other candidates offer to the company. But you know you: emphasize your key skills, strengths, talents, work experience, and professional achievements that are fundamental to getting great things done on this position.
How would you describe yourself in college? ›Details from your life that demonstrate how you'd be a great fit at the college. A brief look at what led you to apply to the college or choose your major. Your unique passions or interests (connect them to the college if possible) Strengths and accomplishments that you can illustrate with stories.
Does college teach life skills? ›While it is not often required to learn life skills at school, there are many colleges and universities in the country that teach college students important life skills. It is even possible to earn a college education that focuses on practical and critical skills!
What skills do you develop in college? ›- Time Management.
- Organization.
- Presenting and Public Speaking.
- Writing.
- Teamwork.
- Project Management.
- Research and Critical Thinking.
- Technical Literacy.
Tips for Writing the “Why This College” Essay
Make a list of the reasons you decided to apply. Research unique opportunities related to your academic and extracurricular interests. Pick your top academic reasons for applying, and your top extracurricular/social reasons.
How do you describe yourself in a college interview? ›
Details about your life that show how you'd be a good match at the college. Details that reflect your individuality and help you stand out. A brief explanation of what prompted you to apply to college or select your major. Your one-of-a-kind passions or interests (connect them to the college if possible)
How do you start a college essay? ›Start with an attention grabber. The very first sentence of your essay should be the “hook” or “grabber.” This sentence “hooks” readers or “grabs” their attention, making them want to read more. This first sentence should provide rich details, engage a reader's curiosity, or otherwise stand out from the rest.
How is college like? ›Students bounce back and forth to class, dining hall, dorm, meetings, library, sports, etc. all day long. They may get up early and stay up late to get it all done. It takes some getting used to, but busy as they are, most college students come to appreciate the freedom they have to manage their own time.
How can I enjoy my college days? ›- Surround yourself with good friends. ...
- Pull yourself out of your bed. ...
- Have some “me time”. ...
- Make plans. ...
- Exercise. ...
- Live in the moment. ...
- Get out of your comfort zone. ...
- Find a hobby you enjoy.
| Average fees at US universities, 2018-19 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Public two-year colleges | Public four-year colleges (out-of-state fees) | |
| Tuition and other fees | $3,660 | $26,290 |
| Room and board | $8,660 | $11,140 |
| Total (per year) | $12,320 | $37,430 |
By negating the large bill of a college education, we could see an increase in the number of students able to attend college. This then creates a more well-educated workforce, a population that has better critical thinking skills, and increased innovation across a number of industries and society as a whole.
What are 3 reasons college should not be free? ›- No student debt. ...
- Increased college enrollment. ...
- Lower dropout rate. ...
- Higher graduation rate. ...
- Better college experience. ...
- More people with double majors. ...
- Increased job opportunities. ...
- Increased financial stability.
College is all about getting an education, but it can also open doors for better career opportunities, help you develop life skills, explore subjects more deeply, and allow you to form deep, meaningful relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
When did people start going to college? ›1636 — Harvard founded. It was the first college in the colonies that were to become the United States. It roughly followed the model of Cambridge and Oxford in England (two of the world's oldest institutions), as the Massachusetts Bay Colony had many residents who attended those schools.
What is the first college? ›University of Bologna
The 'Nourishing Mother of the Studies' according to its Latin motto, the University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and, having never been out of operation, holds the title of the oldest university in the world.
How do you answer why should we accept you college? ›
College authorities want to know more about your academic interests and commitments. Talk about the specific educational, research, and other academic opportunities offered by the college that appeal to you. Expand on this idea by talking about how these opportunities help support your future goals.
Do you need college to be successful? ›If your ideal career can be started, sustained, and grown without a college degree, then you can probably be successful without college. However, if higher education is absolutely required for your chosen profession, there might not be any other way around the need to get a college degree to include on your resumé.
Why did you choose our college answer? ›“I have chosen this University for four reasons. Number one, I carried out extensive research into the University, your track record of achievement and the support you provide for your students. During my research, everything pointed to this being a positive, supportive, and encouraging place for me to learn and study.
Why do you want to get a college education essay? ›A college education always increases the confidence level in students. The sense of duty and responsibility is the way of human development. Because when someone responsible for their own works and duties, it will help a nation to build a social and economic development environment.
Why should I be accepted? ›Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results. You never know what other candidates offer to the company. But you know you: emphasize your key skills, strengths, talents, work experience, and professional achievements that are fundamental to getting great things done on this position.
How would you describe yourself in college? ›Details from your life that demonstrate how you'd be a great fit at the college. A brief look at what led you to apply to the college or choose your major. Your unique passions or interests (connect them to the college if possible) Strengths and accomplishments that you can illustrate with stories.
What should I do in life without college? ›- It's never too early to start. ...
- Consider careers that don't need degrees. ...
- Learn how to sell and negotiate. ...
- Expand your network. ...
- Find a mentor. ...
- Read. ...
- Work hard. ...
- Leverage the power of the internet.
It is economic, civic, societal, and in a word, real. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, someone with a college degree will earn $524 more per week, $27,000 more per year, and $1 million more over a lifetime than someone with only a high school diploma or less.
What are the pros and cons of college? ›- Gain a better education: College is a tool for you to use to further your education. ...
- More job opportunities. ...
- New experiences. ...
- Get outside of your comfort zone/boundaries. ...
- Debt/Student loans. ...
- Stress. ...
- Jobs don't require college education. ...
- Famous/rich people without college education.
In my college life, along with studying, I and my friends enjoyed a lot of other things. We traveled to lots of places, had new experiences, and learned many new things. Our college's canteen was a remarkable place in my college life as whenever we got time, we used to chill in the canteen.
How do you describe yourself in a college interview? ›
Details about your life that show how you'd be a good match at the college. Details that reflect your individuality and help you stand out. A brief explanation of what prompted you to apply to college or select your major. Your one-of-a-kind passions or interests (connect them to the college if possible)
How a college degree can change your life? ›A college degree opens up more opportunities, even in fields that aren't in your major. Improve Discipline and Develop Strong Character. Obtaining a degree takes discipline and a will to succeed. By getting your degree, you overcome procrastination and learn to do what it takes to reach your goal.
What do you expect from college life? ›Students want to learn and explore everything in their college life. Similarly, they want to explore every subject too. The college should not limit them to choose one subject or stream. They should provide freedom to students to choose any subjects they want to study.
How will my education benefit me? ›Those who get an education have higher incomes, have more opportunities in their lives, and tend to be healthier. Societies benefit as well. Societies with high rates of education completion have lower crime, better overall health, and civic involvement. Lack of access to education is considered the root of poverty.