Is Extended Knowledge Worth Years Of Debt Essay

Have you ever just stopped to think about what it must be like to be “qualified” for a job yet be unemployed and homeless? Starving on the streets because you paid everything you had to an institution that was supposed to guarantee a better life, a more stable and successful career. Obviously this is an extreme case, not everyone who pays for college ends up living on the streets and broke, but almost every college graduate is in debt. For as long as college has been around it has always meant a better life, it’s always been that people who went to college were more successful, smarter, and would make way more money than someone who didn’t go to college ever would. Lately, however, college has become so expensive that going to college will more than likely leave you in debt working for years upon years just to pay back what you owe and then start making money for yourself.

In the essay titled “the Diminishing returns of a College Education,” by Kathleen Parker, Parker contends that in the grand scheme of things students who attend college are not getting the full benefits of the college education they are paying for, that the lack of academic rigor is detrimental to students when they try to enter the workforce. She contends that the a study done by the National assessment of Adult Literacy found though students in the united states pay the most tuition per person; they tend to lack basic learning skills such as basic math and critical thinking. In this day and age the discussion

Advocates of this form of higher education contend “a college degree is certainly no guarantee of financial success, but it is nearly a prerequisite for moving up the income ladder if you're poor” (Rampell 1). While college has the ability to aid in the advancement of a person’s financial standing, it proves to be a fruitless investment for some students. Even with the accreditation a diploma offers, millions of graduates struggle to earn a salary that ensures the benefits of their major investment. Academic philosopher Gary Jason insists “the rising price of college tends to erase the potential returns of a college education for students of only average ability” (Jason 1). The essence of Jason’s argument is that with a multitude of programs available as an appropriate substitute, college proves to be a waste of time and money for students pursuing careers that do not demand a diploma. The financial burden of college is growing, and in some cases, it cancels out the benefits. Believers in the college dream’s claim rests on the questionable assumption that all students will successfully obtain a diploma and follow a career path that will result in profits from the

In the essay “Should Everyone Go to College? “published by the Center on Children and Families at Brookings, Stephanie Owen’s and Isabel Sawhill discuss whether college is meant for everyone. Many studies are brought to lighten this article examining the different variables for each individual. Depending on their field of study, type of college, degree, and most important the cost determines whether college is the best for individuals to pursue their career with the initial step of college. Even though many may emphasize going to college, the authors believe that students should consider the commitment of their time and the cost of getting their degree.

A former president, Theodore Roosevelt, once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are,” but yet more than 30% of students don’t attend college the following fall after graduation. As of right now, college is only an option for students, not a requirement. But as technology increases, and jobs become tougher to get a hold of, college is more of a necessity and definitely worth the price tag. It has long term benefits and increases the chances of a successful future. College is definitely worth the cost for the reasons that college graduates have a higher salary than a high school graduates, more and more jobs recently require a college degree, and college graduates more likely to have health insurance and retirement plans.

This article was a very engrossing read, listing the pros and cons of college. Interestingly enough, the journalist John Cassidy leaves an insinuation that the revered idolization that is known as higher education of college is a scam. Similar to AP tests, attending college is expected of almost all students as it will give them benefits later on in life; high wages for an example. However, the expenditure for going to college is the hard fact that it will squeeze all the money from your wallet, bank account, mattress, and anything you managed to shove up your butt. This suffocation may lead some students to get a student loan and get into debt (which is something you specifically told us not to do). Add in the fact

“… A college degree is the surest ticket to the middle class,” says President Barack Obama (10, “College Education”). However, many disagree. Only 44% of people say that college is worth it from a previous 75%. This is understandable because tuition is the highest it has ever been and is still rising; meanwhile, student debt has surpassed $1.2 trillion (4, “Is College Worth”). Is college really worth the money? It depends on many factors such as the student, major, college, and time taken to graduate. But for the average student, it is definitely worth it; in fact, a college degree has never been more valuable because it increases the chances of having better wages and benefits, more job opportunities, and marketable knowledge. Anthony Carnevale from Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce says that ““the only thing worse than going to college is not going to college,” meaning students must decide between risking lower wages and higher chance of unemployment or paying for college (4).

Rather than associating it with financial woes and four more years of backpacks and tests, further education should be credited with helping the development of one's social skills, personal growth, and becoming a well rounded and prepared member of society. One of the most prevalent issues with sending one to college is cost. Although the majority of Americans say higher education “fails to provide students with good value for the money they and their families spend”, 86%, the majority of GRADUATES say that personally, college was the best choice (Source F). On a student to student basis, stepping out of the present and looking at the bigger picture may be the

Society today is often very pressuring towards young adults when it comes to attending college. Maybe it’s because it is the most appropriate idea for people. College provides the average human with a higher satisfaction of life due to the experience and the positives outcomes than that of someone who chooses not to go to college. Although college results in the possibility of debt afterwards, it is still worth the journey.

In their essay “Should Everyone Go to college,” a part of the book They Say I Say, Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill explore the advantages and disadvantages of college and examine the value of college for all individuals. Owen and Sawhills’ purpose is to put an end to the belief that a four-year degree is necessary to be successful. They adopt an informative tone to influence readers to open their minds to a new belief that college is still important but not mandatory for every student. Owen and Sawhill argue that the proposition that college is a requirement to be economically successful has failed to recognize that not everyone is created equally by reminding readers that many factors play into whether college is the right option for someone.

College is where you go to get higher sources of education. Many high school students dream of attending college in order to attain more knowledge, yet so many people fail to realize the cost of college. Attending college, currently, is nearly impossible to do without being in some sort of financial debt or seeking out government help. According to the American Association of University Professors, “two-thirds of American college students graduate with substantial debt, averaging nearly $30,000 (if one includes charge cards) in 2008 and rising.” (AAUP, 2012) Although going to college is beneficial, there is an argument on whether or not going to college is worth the possible debt incurred. The goal

Education has been around for more than 200 years, and with that education has advanced. Many people seek higher education as a way to improve themselves for the future, and as a way to create something out of themselves. Reaching for higher education has never been cheap, it has always been very expensive. The cost of attending a college or a university has always been out of reach for many people simply because they cannot afford it. Many have wondered is college is worth the money?

Is college really worth it? This is the question many students are starting to ask themselves as the college cost increases and the benefits of a degree are falling. Right now, in our society, a college education is no longer an option or privilege, but rather a necessity. We are practically raised and conditioned to believe that one needs a higher education in order to succeed. Although some may argue that a college education can provide better career opportunities and lead students to higher-paying jobs, this is not true for everyone. Research today suggests that a college degree does not always guarantee employment and that many college graduates end up burdened by the vast amount

When one comes across the word "debt," it's generally met with negative connotations. However, debt isn't always bad and could even hold opportunities that businesses have been harnessing for a long time. Having good debt offers returns instead of deficit and it is mostly the planning and execution that really makes it work out. USA TODAY explains what good debt is and how to benefit from it.

Students enroll in college to learn. This acquiring of knowledge is so important that most schools like Marshall University have instituted a required general education program to teach composition, communication, math, natural science, social science, humanities, fine arts, and critical thinking (GED, 2015). Yet the same universities that make the assumption that students are ignorant in general education, feel they are sophisticated enough to make major financial decisions that include assuming several thousand dollars in student debt. It is too easy for students to borrow money and colleges have embraced that fact. I used to blame the students for their financial misgivings, but higher education institutions are as much to blame as anyone. We must ask ourselves when the last time a university said, “we’re making enough money so no tuition increase this year.”