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Is College Worth It: The Benefits of College Education

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Published: Jan 28, 2021

Words: 1396 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Why Is College Worth It? (Essay)

Works cited.

• Archibald, R., & Feldman, D. (2006). Graduation Rates and Accountability: Regressional Discontinuity Estimates of the Impact of Merit Aid on College Persistence. Journal of Human Resources, 41(4), 669-700.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm
• College Board. (2021). Trends in College Pricing 2021. https://research.collegeboard.org/pdf/trends-college-pricing-2021-full-report.pdf
• Deil-Amen, R., & Rosenbaum, J. E. (2003). The unintended consequences of merit aid: The impact on college access and choice. Journal of Higher Education, 74(4), 365-391.
• Deming, D. J., Goldin, C., & Katz, L. F. (2012). The value of postsecondary credentials in the labor market: An educational perspective. American Economic Review, 102(4), 463-468.
• Federal Student Aid. (n.d.). FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. U.S. Department of Education. https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• Finnie, R., & Mueller, R. E. (2019). The financial returns from post-secondary education: A literature review. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 49(1), 22-44.
• Hout, M. (2012). Social and economic returns to college education in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology, 38, 379-400.
• Jackson, C. K., Johnson, R. C., & Persico, C. (2016). The effects of school spending on educational and economic outcomes: Evidence from school finance reforms. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 131(1), 157-218.
• Perna, L. W. (2010). Understanding the working college student. ASHE Higher Education Report, 35(3), 1-131.

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College Education: Arguments For and Against

“Should every student go to college?” is a debatable question. The heated “How essential is a college education” debate against and in favor of the question became very common. This essay analyzes both the reason why not to go to college and why college education is important.

College Education Arguments: Introduction

College education: arguments for, how essential is a college education: debate against, how necessary is a college education: argumentative essay conclusion, works cited.

A college education is important, yet its cost has become an issue. Some feel that the cost is too high, and the returns very low. Many people from parents, students, the press, and the public have all voiced their concern over the cost of a college education.

Due to the high cost charged in tuition, room, as well as board prices college, has become out of reach to many people. This paper will endeavor to discuss the reason why college is worth students’ time and money in spite of the high cost.

Many people wonder if college is worth it. More and more young people are enrolling in college in the twenty-first century in spite of the high cost.

There is “evidence to suggest that in an increasingly knowledge-intensive society, the value of a college education- at least as measured by the difference in earning capacity afforded by a college degree- is continuing to increase” (Duderstadt 23). This has led many people to seek higher education in the twenty-first century.

A college education is worthwhile because it has become a trend in society today. There is increased value for advanced education because “one’s knowledge is the key in determining personal prosperity and well being” (Duderstadt 23).

In addition, courses in technology-intensive areas such as information technology, medicine, engineering, and others cost more, but students who enroll in them are more likely to get a job because of the high demand for knowledge in those areas. Therefore, students get jobs, and the jobs are well paying; thus, their living standards improve.

There is a demand for people with higher education in the job market. Economists explain that there is a “correlation between ability and earnings” (Smart, 29).

Becker urges that there is a higher demand for higher ability represents higher returns because” persons who produce more human capital from a given expenditure have more capacity or ability” (124). In addition, Mincer (56) agrees, “differences in levels of demand curve represent individual differences in productivities or abilities. Economists agree that an individual’s ability is related to their level of education.

People with a college degree earn more than those without. According to the Census Bureau, people who only have a high school diploma earn an average of about $1.2 million in their adult working life while those with college degrees earn an average of about $1.6 million. There is a difference of $ 400,000 due to the lack of a college degree.

Therefore, a college degree is worthwhile because it enables one to earn a higher income. In addition, “college graduates also enjoy benefits beyond increased income” (Lougheed 137).

A 1998 report published by the Institute for Higher Education Policy showed that college graduates enjoy higher savings levels, have increased professional as well as personal mobility. They are able to provide a higher quality of life to their offspring. College graduates are also able to make better consumer decisions and enjoy more leisure and hobbies activities (IHEP 1).

College learning equips an individual with paramount reasoning, communication, reflection, and tolerance skills. These skills are very important in problem-solving as well as resolving conflicts that one encounters ” in the course of personal or professional life” (Benefits of College Education 1).

Moreover, college education helps one to “understand other people’s viewpoints, and learn how to disagree sensibly” (Benefits of college Education 1). Therefore, one is able to lead a satisfying life, depending on how they learn to resolve crises and conflicts. It is important to note that these skills can be learned without attending college, but the college environment enhances their development.

College graduates get an opportunity to expand their “social horizons” (Benefits of college Education 1). This happens because they get a chance to meet new people and make friends in colleges. Colleges comprise of people from different backgrounds and countries.

This gives them a chance to share information with other people and hence learn about different cultures. Through these interactions, the college students get a chance to network- that is, sharing of information.

Many college students have been able to secure jobs through the contacts they made in college. Many college students say the networks formed in college helped them to “expand their horizons from the tribal village to the global village” (Benefits of college Education 1).

Apart from the monetary gains, college students have non-monetary gains, as shown by a report published by Carnegie Foundation. They have the tendency to be more open-minded, more consistent, and more rational; they also become less authoritarian. Due to these qualities that they acquire, they tend to have more fulfilling relationships as well as careers. Moreover, they pass these qualities on their offspring.

College attendance has shown to “decrease prejudice, enhance knowledge of world affairs, and enhance social status while increasing job and economic security for those who earn a bachelor’s degree” (Lougheed 137-8).

Furthermore, research has shown that there is a positive correlation between the completion of “higher education and health” of an individual as well as one’s children (Lougheed 138). Parents who have completed higher education are able to provide and maintain good health status for their children, and there is a lower mortality rate among their children in any give given brackets (Lougheed 138).

College education leads to social benefits. The majority of the research conducted has revealed that there exists a strong correlation between economic growth, cultural values, and family. Highly educated parents, especially women, spend more time with their children, and during this time, they “prepare their children for the future” (Cohn and Geske 263).

This raises the IQ of the children. The mothers are aware of the benefits of a college education and therefore invest more in education for their children. “When children have opportunities to inherit or adopt this information and these values, insights, beliefs, and perspectives from their parents, they acquire an early form of human capital” (McMahon 30).

Children from such advantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to get a higher education because their parents understand the value of advanced education. Moreover, “college graduates appear to have a more optimistic view of their past and future personal progress” (Cohn and Geske 267-9).

College education leads to public benefits. People who attend college pay more taxes; thus, the government is able to collect more revenues. The revenues are, in turn, used to finance government expenditure. College graduates have increased workplace productivity hence higher outputs.

In addition, due to their higher earnings, college graduates have increased consumption. Thus, they contribute to economic growth. They also reduce reliance on the government for support. The government can, therefore, use the money it would have used on them to do other things.

Conversely, there are people who feel that the cost of a college education is too high and thus a waste of time and money due to low returns. Some college students are in school not because they want to “be or because they want to learn” (Bird 147).

Some are there because going to college is a trend, their parents wanted them to go, or simply because “college is a pleasant place to be; because it is the only way they can get parents or taxpayers to support them without getting a job they do not like” (Bird 146). This leads to a waste of money spent on such students by their parents and the state because they do not learn.

To them, college is a social place to meet friends and have no time for classwork. Most such students end up dropping out of college anyway. Therefore, the money invested in these institutions of learning is wasted when not used in the right way.

The cost of a college education is very high, and the high cost makes colleges inaccessible to many students. Those who stay on and finish feel that going to college was not worth as one student put it during an interview “in two years, I’ll pick up a diploma, and I can honestly say it was a waste of my father’s bread” (Bird 150).

The high cost of a college education has led universities to develop packages to attract students and keep their finances solvent. There is a debate about the quality of education offered in some colleges. Many feel that education has been reduced to and become like products to be sold in a market.

The packages developed are commercially built and promise students a wonderful life during their study while focusing less on the curriculum. Thus, a question arises about the quality of college degrees.

The other argument against college education is the high numbers of unemployed college graduates. Doing a translation from college to employment is difficult these days. This has led to high levels of unemployment among college graduates. “Somewhere between the nursery and the employment office, they become unwanted adults” (Bird 179).

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the cost of a college education is high and continues to rise, and this is problematic, especially to students who fall under the lowest income brackets. This becomes a financial burden; however, the long-term benefits to an individual and the society are numerous and far outweigh the high cost.

Therefore, everyone should strive to get a college education because it improves the quality of one’s life hence adding value. Parents and the state should put more effort into providing a college education. The parents should encourage their children to acquire higher education because, in the world of today, many jobs available require some form of post-high school education.

The government, on the other hand, should increase funding to colleges to make the tuition fee affordable to students from low-income levels. The government’s support will help to cushion students against inflation that has led to the skyrocketing of college education cost.

On the other hand, the value of college education cannot be underestimated because it leads to financial rewards. Moreover, it is easier to change careers with a college education. For sure, college education has value and is worth the time and money of a student.

Becker, Gary Stanley. Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education. 2 nd ed. Chicago: university of Chicago press, 1993.

“Benefits of a college Education.” University of Maryland College n.d.

Bird, Caroline. The Case against College. Colorado: D. McKay Co, 1975.

Cohn, Elchana and Geske, G Terry. The Economics of Education. 3 rd ed. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1990.

Duderstadt, J James. A university for the 21st century. Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 2000. ISBN0472110918, 9780472110919

Institute for higher education Policy (IHEP). Reaping the Benefits . IHEP, 8 Apr. 1998.

Lougheed, Lin. Barron’s How To Prepare for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). New York Barron’s Educational Series, 2006. ISBN0764179357, 978076417935.

McMahon, W Walter. ”Why Families Invest in Education.” In S.Suydman & MA Spaeth (eds), The Collection And Analysis Of Economic and Consumer Behavior Data: in memory of Ferber (pp 75-91). Urbana, IL: Bureau of Economic And Business Research, University of Illinois.

Mincer, Jacob. The Distribution of Labor Incomes: A Survey in J Mincer(ed), Studies in Human Capital: collected essays of Jacob Minces. Brookfield, VT: Edward Elgar, 1993.

Smart, C John. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research. New York: Springer, 2008. ISBN1402092806, 9781402092800

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Is College Worth It? Consider These Factors Before Enrolling

Expert Reviewed

Updated: Apr 22, 2024, 11:43am

For decades in the U.S., a four-year degree was seen as a ticket to a better life, associated with higher wages, better health and access to homeownership, to name a few benefits. But rising costs, mounting student debt, changing job requirements in some industries and new higher education alternatives have altered the equation, leaving many high schoolers and their parents wondering: Is college worth it?

College graduates still earn higher wages and have lower unemployment rates than workers with only a high school diploma. However, industries that don’t require a bachelor’s degree, like manufacturing, construction and hospitality, often pay well and see steady economic demand. Plus, many companies and even government organizations no longer require job candidates to hold college degrees.

Though some researchers claim the economic benefits of a college degree are diminishing, higher education is still undeniably valuable. But is college right for you? That depends on your financial priorities and professional goals. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of going to college.

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How To Determine Whether College Is Worth It

College is a great way to discover yourself: what you’re good at, what drives you, what you want to spend your life doing. Higher learning can provide opportunities to travel, research, build a professional network and connect with peers and mentors. But the cost is immense—often more than $100,000 for a four-year degree, depending on the institution.

If you’re on the fence about college, take the considerations discussed below into account. Also, compare the potential benefits and drawbacks of a four-year degree to alternative higher ed options, such as bootcamps , professional certificate programs and trade schools .

Factors To Consider

When determining whether you should go to college, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are your career goals?
• Does the school you’re eying offer a strong program in your area of interest?
• How much would you pay for tuition and other expenses?

Next, assess what student loans and scholarships are available to you, and consider the level of debt you’ll face after graduation. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our rankings of the best private student loans , the best low-interest student loans and the best personal loans for students . We also list some of the best scholarship websites and search engines .

Finally, think about the salary you’ll likely earn in your desired profession and how quickly you’ll be able to repay your loans.

It might be wise to consider this decision as if you were your own life coach or mentor. How would you talk through this problem with someone in your shoes? College admission professionals, high school guidance counselors and mentors can also provide input to help you make an informed decision.

College Income and Wealth Premiums

Two key economic indicators to think about are income and wealth. “Income” here relates to your earnings from a job, while “wealth” refers to your net worth.

For decades, college graduates enjoyed higher earnings and greater wealth than individuals who did not graduate from college, creating so-called “college premiums” on both income and wealth. Though these premiums still exist, they’ve declined for recent graduates, according to economic research published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis .

The college wealth premium is trending downward faster than the income premium due in part to the high and rising cost of college.

The Cost of College

To examine the cost of college, we look at the average net price as collected by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Net price is the total cost of college—including tuition, supplies, housing and other expenses—minus grant and scholarship aid.

In the 2020–21 academic year, the average net price of attending a four-year college for first-time undergraduates was $14,700 at public institutions, $28,400 at private nonprofit schools and $24,600 at private, for-profit institutions, according to NCES.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees have risen over the past decade across public and private nonprofit colleges and universities. The increase was highest for private nonprofits, where annual tuition and fees increased by 14% between the 2010–11 and 2021–22 school years—from $34,000 to $38,000, respectively. The increase at public institutions in that time frame was smaller at 6%, from $9,100 to $9,700.

Total Cost of Attendance

The total cost of attendance combines the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board and other expenses. It also accounts for federal student aid awards, including grants, work-study programs and loans.

In 2021–22, the average total cost of attending a public, four-year institution was $26,000 for students living on campus. Attending a private, for-profit school cost $32,900, or $55,800 for a private, nonprofit college.

So for a four-year bachelor’s degree, the average total cost of attendance for students residing on campus was approximately:

• $104,000 at public schools
• $131,600 at private, for-profit schools
• $223,200 at private, nonprofit schools

In other words, the cost of college is steep even with financial aid taken into account.

Student Loans

The percentage of first-year undergraduates who take out student loans has decreased since 2010, according to NCES. Thirty-eight percent of first-time, full-time college students were awarded loans in 2020–21, compared with 50% in 2010–11. NCES noted a decrease across all controls for both two-year and four-year higher education institutions.

The average loan amount awarded has also decreased over the past decade. First-time, degree-seeking students received an average $8,400 in 2020–21, compared to $7,700 in 2010–11, a decrease of 8%.

Education debt is the fastest-growing form of debt in the U.S. with total student debt now around $1.76 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve . In the 2021–22 academic year, 49% of students earning bachelor’s degrees from public, four-year institutions graduated with federal student loan debt, according to research from College Board . The average amount of debt per student was $20,700. Another 9% graduated with private loan debt averaging $34,600 per borrower.

To understand how effective students are at paying back their loans, NCES examined the class of 2015-16 four years after graduation, finding that the average federal student borrower still owed 78% of their original loan amount. The average percentage owed was particularly high among Pell Grant recipients: 85% of the original borrowed amount.

The Potential College Payoff

We’ve determined that college is expensive (and only getting costlier), student debt is on the rise and financial aid awards are dwindling. So what’s the return on an investment in higher education? Let’s take a look at potential payoffs for college grads.

Higher Earnings

College graduates still enjoy higher earnings than the average U.S. worker. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2022, bachelor’s degree holders took home a median wage of $1,432 per week, while workers with just a high school diploma earned only $853. That’s a difference of 68%.

But how much you earn depends on several factors, including the industry you work in and your age, gender and location. A 2021 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce found that 16% of high school graduates and 28% of associate degree holders earn higher wages than half of bachelor’s degree graduates.

On average, bachelor’s degree holders don’t start to see returns on their college investment until they’ve worked full time for 15 years. It’s the lowest return on investment (ROI) of all postsecondary degrees, according to the Education Data Initiative .

However, ROI for bachelor’s degrees can differ significantly depending on the major. The most cost-effective majors are in the computer and information sciences. Other areas with high returns include business finance, business accounting and electrical engineering. Majors with low ROI include fine art, liberal arts, general studies and education.

Lower Unemployment Rates

In 2022, bachelor’s degree grads faced an unemployment rate of 2.2%, while the rate for all workers was 3%, according to the BLS. By comparison, 4% of workers with only a high school diploma were unemployed.

Despite national conversation questioning the value of a college degree, a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that many employers still see higher ed as valuable, with three-quarters of respondents viewing college credentials as high-quality.

Recession Resiliency

Having a college degree may help you stay afloat during the next economic downturn. According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California , less-educated workers suffered higher unemployment losses during the past few recessions. For example, at the height of the Covid-19 recession, workers with no college education experienced an unemployment rate of 18%, compared to 10% for workers with bachelor’s degrees.

The Pros and Cons of Going to College

Whether going to college is worth it really depends on your situation. Some career aspirations require a four-year degree, while plenty of others don’t. Certain academic interests make more sense to pursue in a formal campus environment. Others lend themselves to self-study.

Your financial situation is an important factor in determining the value of college. You’ll want to ask yourself if higher wages and more career options in the long run are worth years of student loan payments.

• Higher wages on average
• More career options
• Opportunities to gain further credentials and earn more money
• Alumni networks
• Recession resilience
• Personal growth
• Better health
• Higher likelihood of homeownership and being partnered (married or cohabiting)
• Lower risk of becoming delinquent on debt obligations
• Years of student loan debt
• Not necessary for some jobs
• Many alternatives to college, like apprenticeships and associate degrees, may provide similar benefits
• “Opportunity loss” due to time in college spent not working in profession

If you’re unsure about whether college would pay off for you, check out the below resources to learn about alternative options for higher education and professional credentials:

• Best Coding Bootcamps
• Best Online Trade Schools
• Can You Get a Bachelor’s Degree at a Community College? Here’s What To Know
• How Much Do Coding Bootcamps Cost? What To Know
• How To Get an Apprenticeship: Tips and Resources
• Tech Bootcamps With Job Guarantees: What To Know
• These 8 Universities Offer Business Certificates Online
• What Is a Graduate Certificate? Everything You Need To Know
• What Is a Skilled Trade? Top-Paying Trades To Conside

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Whether College Is Worth It

Should i go to college.

A college degree is a great investment for many students, but it’s not the slam dunk that it once was. A college degree is still correlated with higher earnings and greater wealth, but the cost is considerable and rising. Depending on your intended profession, you might consider an alternative education path.

Is college worth the cost?

Ultimately, whether college is worth the cost will depend on factors like your career and life goals and whether you’ll need to take out student loans. While a college degree is still associated with greater earnings and wealth over a lifetime, the upfront cost is not worth it for many students.

Why is college worth it?

There are many positives to attending college: higher wages, stronger recession resilience, lower unemployment rates, the list goes on. Plus, many employers require or prefer a college degree for many professional roles. On the other hand, you may be able to earn a good living without attending college, depending on your professional aspirations.

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Garrett Andrews is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Political Science at Portland Community College where he teaches State and Local Government.

Brenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accolades in California and North Carolina. Since 2018, she has worked in the higher-education web content space, where she aims to help current and prospective students of all backgrounds find effective, accessible pathways to rewarding careers.

Is College Education Worth the Money Essay

Although deciding whether to attend college is beyond doubt not an easy choice, it should not escape mention that today, more than ever before, college education is no longer viewed as option or privilege, but rather a necessity (Baum & Kathleen, 2004). Not only are people in contemporary society raised and conditioned to believe that one needs college education to succeed in life, but the stiff competition for the few job openings available continue to inform the importance for individuals to seriously consider investing in college education. Through comparing and contrasting various dimensions and dynamics related to college education and its potential benefits, this paper purposes to demonstrate evidence that attending college is worth the investments made.

First, it is known that investing in a good education surpasses any other investment that money can possibly buy due to the permanency of the investment. Money comes and goes, but education is for long-term once an individual makes the conscious decision to invest in knowledge, not mentioning that education pays the best interest (Baum & Kathleen, 2004). Consequently, it is advantageous to always invest in something that not only guarantees permanency over the long-term, but occasions premium results by virtue of the opportunities which it is capable of generating (Baum & Kathleen, 2004). This investment can only be achieved through getting good college education.

Second, research demonstrates that attending college not only make individuals more insightful, aware and enlightened, but provides them with coping strategies to enable them negotiate life’s challenges once they graduate from college (Baum & Kathleen, 2004). These insights, enlightenment, critical thinking skills, and coping strategies molded through an effective and efficient college education enables individuals to be economically productive and prosperous later in life. It is with this in mind that Zayed Alnayhan, a former president of the United Arab Emirates, once said that “…the real asset of any advanced nation is its people, especially the educated ones, and the prosperity and success of the people are measured by the standard of their education” (UAE Interact, n.d., para. 1).

Third, it is no longer a secret that individuals must have a good education base if they are to increase their chances of getting a descent job upon graduation. This assertion provided impetus for me to seriously consider getting a college education as I want to lead an independent and fulfilling life upon graduation. As observed by Baum & Kathleen (2004), “…higher levels of education are associated with higher earnings and…college is a prerequisite for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle” (p. 5). Consequently, not only is college education beneficial in terms of enhancing the probability to land a well-paying up-market job, but the exposure one gets in college enhances the development of various faculties of thought and emotion to enable the abstraction of ideas and anchoring them in real-life situations.

The potential benefits of investing in quality college education are unlimited. Research has demonstrated that college education curtails the probability for one to be dependent on society for support, implying that not only is college education beneficial for the individual concerned, but it acts as a triggering agent for society to be able to amass more resources for social and economic development. Indeed, President Obama is on record for urging high school students to expand their education by enrolling to pursue higher education for the reason that the future of this great nation depends on education (Jackson, 2011).

Lastly, on the benefits, it is a well known fact that college education enables individuals to develop values and behavioral orientations that are reflective of a sound and morally upright society. It has been noted by Baum & Kathleen that “…college graduates have lower smoking rates, more positive perceptions of personal health, and lower incarceration rates than individuals who have not graduated from college” (p. 7). In addition, college graduates are more likely than others to demonstrate higher levels of civic participation, volunteer work and other actions that are reflective of citizenship behavior. This therefore implies that college education also provide individuals and society with the correct trajectory towards achieving positive development.

The counter-arguments against college education are many and varied, but none, in my view, seems to hold enough ground to discourage people from making investments towards acquiring quality college education. For instance, there have been arguments that a strong academic background does not necessarily translate into overcoming financial barriers later in life, and that the tuition fees associated with college education are exorbitant (Baum & Kathleen, 2004; Cheever, 2005). But one can always argue that even though college education does not necessarily guarantee higher rewards later in life in terms of financial independence, it nevertheless significantly improves post-secondary opportunities of attaining financial independence and positive personal and career development. In the same vein, it can be argued that although tuition fees for attaining college education may be high in the short-term, the tangible and intangible benefits of the knowledge received from college education are unlimited.

Critics of college education have also argued that the engagement takes a lot of time to complete – time which could be used for other gainful purposes such as employment (Baum & Kathleen, 2004). However, this assertion cannot be further from the truth as the investments made in terms of time can always be recovered upon graduation by virtue of the fact that college graduates are more likely to get high-paying secure jobs than high school leavers. Lastly, there are those who argue that college life makes students to gravitate towards deviant life and character due to the level of independence granted to the students in college. This assertion, too, does not hold much water as independence comes with responsibility, and it should be the role of parents and teachers to steer these young minds into an independent life that puts a premium on responsibility. Overall, investing in quality college education seems the only way to go if the many challenges facing individuals and society in the 21 st century are to be surmounted.

Reference List

Baum, S., & Kathleen, P. (2004). The benefits of higher education for individuals and society . Web.

Jackson, D. (2011). Obama urges students to pursue higher education . Web.

UAE Interact . (n.d.). Web.

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• “Trends in College Pricing” by Sandy Baum and Jennifer Ma
• Kathleen McNamara’s “Constructing Authority in the European Union”
• Socio-Political Symbolism in Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’
• Significance of Home in The Wizard of Oz by Baum
• Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Book vs. Film
• John McGahern's “Korea” and “Kathleen’s Field” by William Trevor
• "From Standards to Rubrics in Six Steps" by Kathleen Burke
• Developmental Psychology: Kathleen Stassen Views
• Do the Benefits of College Still Outweigh the Costs?
• Abu Dhabi University' Quality of Learning
• Is It Worth to Go to College?
• Importance of Education: Tuition Fees Role
• Free Community Colleges: Arguments For and Against

Sample Essay: Is College Worth It?, with Outline

Published by gudwriter on November 23, 2017 November 23, 2017

Is College Worth It Example Essay

Is college worth it? Here is a sample essay that discusses whether college education is worth it in the long run or it’s just a waste of money and time.

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Essay Outline on Whether College is Worth it

Introduction.

Thesis: While there are arguments that college education is not worth it in the current society, this paper contends that college education is indeed worth it irrespective of the prevalent economic conditions.

Paragraph 1:

College education is worth acquiring because those with a college degree earn substantially higher as compared to their counterparts who have secondary school education.

• The earning gap between the two groups only continues to become wider even as the economy transforms.
• “High school graduates earn about 62% of what those with four-year degrees earn, according to a Pew Research Center study.”

Paragraph 2:

College education also adds on to the market value of college graduates making them more valuable than non-college graduates.

• College degree is highly valued by the job market of today and prospective employers view it as the minimum educational requirement for employment.
• In comparison to high school graduates, college graduates would easily secure job opportunities.

  Paragraph 3:

It is also worth pursuing college education because with it, one gets into a better position to acquire and enjoy the benefits of health insurance and develop their pension plans.

• “In 2011, the percentage of full-time workers offered pension plans by their employers who chose to participate ranged from 77% for those without a high school diploma to 94% for those with an advanced degree.”
• Higher levels of educational attainment put one in a better place to have a health insurance cover that is provided by their employer.

Paragraph 4:

College education further helps students in multiple other ways than just monetary returns.

• According to a survey, 74% of students said they had achieved invaluable intellectual growth by attending college while 69% believed college had helped them attain higher personal maturity levels.
• Thus, apart from employment, college makes students become better prepared to face life and the challenges that come with it.

Paragraph 5:

One argument against college education is that it plunges students into huge debt burdens.

• The argument holds that the $400 average monthly wage that fresh college graduates get is not enough for servicing their student loans.
• This argument ignores the fact that as they continue to work, college graduates develop professionally and continue earning more than their starting salary.

Paragraph 6:

Opponents of college education also front an argument that the market value of students does not benefit from college education.

• Apparently, this explains why people with college education may find themselves in odd jobs such as being hotel attendants.
• This argument is off the mark because college education indeed increases the market value of students and that is why they earn more than high school graduates.  

College education is worth it given the many benefits it sires. One should pursue college education at all costs even if it means running into debts. Deliberately failing to acquire college education is akin to deliberately settling for less in life. For an in-depth analysis of Candide, please read our Candide analysis essay.

Is College Worth it Example Essay

College education is one area that many people in the United States of America have invested and continue to invest in. It is widely believed that with college education, one has a better chance at life in terms of professional and personal development. College education has long been seen as a good avenue through which one may access and effectively exploit economic opportunities both domestically and internationally. However, the cost of acquiring college education has risen in the recent past and continues to rise even at present. A debate has thus ensued as to whether college education is really worth its cost in the prevailing economic situations. While there are arguments that college education is not worth it in the current society, this paper contends that college education is indeed worth it irrespective of the prevalent economic conditions. In college that’s where you may find worthy and important friendship , it’s where you mold relationship since you have a better understanding of yourself.

College education is worth acquiring because those with a college degree earn substantially higher as compared to their counterparts who have secondary school education. The earning gap between the two groups only continues to become wider even as the economy transforms. As pointed out by Weston (2015), “High school graduates earn about 62% of what those with four-year degrees earn, according to a Pew Research Center study.” In the year 1979, those with high school education used to earn 77% of what college graduates earned; a proof that the earning gap is indeed increasing (Weston, 2015). It would thus not be advisable to forego college education and settle for high school education because in effect, that means settling for lower earnings. Under normal circumstances, an investment that attracts higher returns on investment is worth considering or pursuing and so is college education.

College education also adds on to the market value of college graduates making them more valuable than non-college graduates. As clearly stated by Selingo (2015), college degree is highly valued by the job market of today and prospective employers view it as the minimum educational requirement for employment. This then implies that in comparison to high school graduates, college graduates would easily secure job opportunities. With college education, one thus opens more economic opportunities for themselves. This is why Weston (2015) advises that in the current economy, everybody should “consider some post-secondary training if they do not want to fall down the economic ladder.” Irrespective of the program one undertakes in college, they would enhance their market value by amassing as much professional experience as possible and thereby command better earnings.

It is also worth pursuing college education because with it, one gets into a better position to acquire and enjoy the benefits of health insurance and develop their pension plans. “In 2011, the percentage of full-time workers offered pension plans by their employers who chose to participate ranged from 77% for those without a high school diploma to 94% for those with an advanced degree” (Baum, Ma & Payea, 2013). It is further noted by Baum, Ma & Payea (2013) that higher levels of educational attainment put one in a better place to have a health insurance cover that is provided by their employer. With a health insurance, one can be sure of medical attention whenever they need it while with pension plans, one is sure to live a dignified life after they retire. Therefore, one would suffer less financial burden if they have these two provisions, both before and after retirement. As is evident here, the benefits would far outweigh the cost at which college education is acquired.

College education further helps students in multiple other ways than just monetary returns. According to a survey, 74% of students said they had achieved invaluable intellectual growth by attending college while 69% believed college had helped them attain higher personal maturity levels (“Is College Worth It?,” 2011). Thus, apart from employment, college makes students become better prepared to face life and the challenges that come with it. A more intellectually strengthened person is likely to approach life with an open mind which would enable them develop well-thought solutions to various life problems. Similarly, a high level of personal maturity helps one in developing meaningful relationships both at personal and professional levels. Thus, college education generally prepares a person for better life. It would be less meaningful to earn a lot of money and spend it unwisely.

One argument against college education is that it plunges students into huge debt burdens. Selingo (2015) argues that the $400 average monthly wage that fresh college graduates get is not enough for servicing their student loans. The scholar contends that with such little earnings, college graduates may end up repaying their loans for long. Supporters of this opinion hold that being in debt overshadows the value the students might have got from the education given that it is costly to acquire. However, this argument ignores the fact that as they continue to work, college graduates develop professionally and continue earning more than their starting salaries.

Opponents of college education also front an argument that the market value of students does not benefit from college education. Apparently, this explains why people with college education may find themselves in odd jobs such as being hotel attendants. According to Selingo (2015) ,““Looking at the actual return on the costs of attending college, careful analyses suggest that the payoff from many college programs — as much as one in four — is actually negative”. However, this argument is off the mark because as revealed herein, college education increases the market value of students and that is why they earn more than high school graduates.

College education is worth it given the many benefits it sires. One should pursue college education at all costs even if it means running into debts. It would be satisfying to service the loan knowing very well that afterwards, one would continue reaping the benefits of the education. Increased market value, higher earnings, health insurance cover, and retirement plans all make college education a necessity. Deliberately failing to acquire college education is thus akin to deliberately settling for less in life.

Baum, S., Ma, J., & Payea, K. (2013). “ Education pays 2013: the benefits of higher education for individuals and society” . The College Board. Retrieved from https://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/education-pays-2013-full-report.pdf

Is College Worth It?. In Pew Research Center . Retrieved July 9, 2020 from https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/05/15/is-college-worth-it/

Selingo, J. (2015). “ Is college worth the cost? Many recent graduates don’t think so”. Washington Post . Retrieved 21 November 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/09/30/is-college-worth-the-cost-many-recent-graduates-dont-think-so/?utm_term=.d1c7eef76720

Weston, L. (2015). “ Why college is still worth it even though it costs too much” . Time . Retrieved 21 November 2017, from http://time.com/money/4061150/college-degree-worth-it/

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Argumentative Essays

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What is an argumentative essay?

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.

Please note : Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research involved. The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first year writing or advanced composition courses and involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length. Expository essays are often used for in-class writing exercises or tests, such as the GED or GRE.

Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that she/he may choose a position and support it with the evidence collected during research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.

The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following.

• A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important ( exigence ) or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

• Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.

• Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis ( warrant ).

However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic. Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.

• Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view. Some factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis. However, students must consider multiple points of view when collecting evidence. As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not aligning with the thesis. It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the thesis. It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be well informed or up to date on the topic.

• A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis. You may also want to include a short discussion of more research that should be completed in light of your work.

A complete argument

Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.

The five-paragraph essay

A common method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of (a) an introductory paragraph (b) three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include discussion of opposing views and (c) a conclusion.

Longer argumentative essays

Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Argumentative essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment.

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Is College Worth the Cost

• Category: Education , Life
• Topic: College Tuition , Cost of Education

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