College: Necessary or Useless? By Rohail AamerHow necessary is college education? Most high school students plan to go to college for a degree for long-term financial gain. Many believe that earning a college degree equals guaranteed success. As the years pass by, college tuition is rapidly increasing and studies have shown that recent college graduates have ended up unemployed, which leads us to the question of whether or not college education is necessary. Is college just a place for opulent students to go to or is it necessary for our future?
Without any degrees or diplomas whatsoever, most jobs that are available pay minimum wage. I believe minimum wage jobs are fine for young high school students but working at a minimum wage job for your entire life is not ideal. After graduating high school, you end up with a high school diploma. There are a decent number of jobs you can apply for if you only have a high school diploma and they pay more compared to jobs you can obtain without a high school diploma. However many programs and jobs, especially those that typically require more knowledge and skill, require some sort of college degree. Higher-skilled jobs usually pay more money or at least a livable wage. Having a college diploma does not equal success, but in my opinion, it does mean you have a higher chance of success compared to someone who does not have a college degree or diploma.
Many college students cannot afford to pay their tuition without the help of student loans. These student loans can become very expensive. The typical college student is usually at college to learn some sort of skill that they can eventually use in a job. Until they reach that point, students will often have a job to pay for rent, food, clothing and their student loans. Having a student loan can be a very big detriment to someone’s life but it is required for the majority of college students. These student loans will slowly grow bigger and bigger. According to ProCon.org, “About 44 million Americans owe more than $1.5 trillion in student debt. 45% of people with student loan debt say college was not worth it…In Feb. 2018, undergraduate college graduates had an average of $37,172 in loan debt.” The majority of college students suffer from student loans, so is it worth going to college despite this? I believe it is but I do not think it is necessary. ProCon.org says “The average college graduate student makes $570,000 more than the average high school student over a lifetime.” I think college is also an investment as well as an education. Usually, investments can either provide a ton of money or you could lose a lot of money. I believe this applies here. With college, you’ll most likely get a student loan to pay off your tuition so that you can study for whatever job you are planning to get. After you get your college degree, you may end up with a very well paying job or you may end up unemployed and stuck with your student loans.
I do not think a college education guarantees success. There have been many people that did not go to college and they became billionaires. However, going to college does increase one’s chance of success compared to someone who did not go to college. College is more of an investment than it is an education. College students are essentially investing in their future, to increase their likelihood of getting a job that provides a stable income.
I would argue that college is rather helpful for a successful career. I agree with you on a lot of your points and recognize the large amounts of debt one can have when attending college. In the end, it might come down to what career you want to choose, and how accessible that is with or without graduating from college. Also, like you said, your career is not guaranteed after graduating. This is rather unfortunate, as that would mean you have taken on the debt for seemingly no gain. However, college in general, may be a fun experience, regardless of which major you choose or university you attend.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it really depends on whether college is worth it or not. If the cost of college didn't exist, I think it is very worth it for not just the education part, but the experience. Not just having fun, partying, etc, but it can also be where you find business partners. Many group startups that have become hugely successful met through college. At college, you can meet lifelong friends and sometimes spouses. This is all great, but the cost of college is downright outrageous. It has quadrupled since the 60's even when factoring inflation, and there are many other statistics that you used that also show the crazy price.
ReplyDeleteFor a job perspective, you absolutely need college for some niche jobs such as becoming a lawyer, doctor, professor, teacher, and many others, but there are certainly many jobs out there that don't absolutely need a college degree.
-Frank
I agree with a lot of the points brought up in the comments. I also feel like college could be for education but it also is where you gain experience and connect with others. College is like an introductory class into adulthood which I think is very useful.
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