Is college the best option? That’s a hotly debated topic these days, and in fact, Chapter 16 of your text addresses that very question. Gillian White, senior associate editor of The Atlantic, reports on the results of a new Georgetown University study showing that college “still pays off.” Her article was published in the magazine in February 2015.
Read it here: White, “Even with debt, college still pays off”
- White’s title and opening paragraphs present a positive and optimistic picture of the benefits of a college degree. The final paragraphs, however, may reduce that optimism somewhat. Does the article offer an argument? Are the beginning of the article and the end consistent with one another? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.
- The earnings graph that White includes compares recent graduates of high school, college, and graduate school with “experienced” workers at each of those educational levels. What defines an “experienced worker” here? White uses the graph only to demonstrate one thing: that recent college graduates fare better than experienced high school graduates. What else can you discover from the graph? Would her argument have been stronger if she had discussed any of the other information that the graph reveals? Why or why not?
- According to the Georgetown research professor who headed the study that White’s article highlights, “…college is still worth it. It’s just that most people can’t afford it.” Why might White have included this quote in her article? How does it contribute to her main argument? Explain your reasoning.
- Read (or re-read) Sanford Ungar’s essay in Chapter 16 of your text. Ungar and White are both enthusiastic supporters of college education, but for very different reasons. With which one do you agree more? Why? Write an essay that uses Ungar and/or White as your They Say, and present evidence from your own college experience to explain your preference for one or the other view.
They Say I Blog 
I disagree with Gillian but I agree with him as well. Although, I might be biased in doing so. I never wanted to further my education after high school. In high school my grades reflected a poor student with no hopes for a grand future. However, I acquired and maintained a good job throughout my senior year of high school. After graduation I became a manager at my building gaining seniority and stability in an ever growing market. Being the second highest paid employee in the building while making a decent gross yearly income, I did not find it necessary to ever go to school to receive higher education. Being well written and well-spoken most people presumed that I had attended college. However, one day I decided I wanted to go to school to see if I was holding myself back or if I was right in not wanting to further my education. Long behold I love attending college and even though I have yet to see a difference in my mental capability, I have acquired a fondness for learning that has never before existed. To sum it up, school may not be for everyone and if you have a way to get into a steady well-paying job then school is absolutely not necessary yet, in another view if one has the time to focus primarily on education then higher education is the way to go. I would recommend that anyone who has the drive and capability to attend college do so because a person can only advance career status and pay rate by attending college. The data of many surveys shows this. School is indeed beneficial on multiple levels. I for one will continue my education, I am going to maintain my current career because I am where I love to be however, I have more passion and drive in completing daily tasks than I did when I started college.
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I agree with Gillian because i know school is important to everyone school is not for every one everyone learns in different ways and speed and sometimes i see people not wanting to go back because its hard and long to get a degree and some cant afford it and have to take care of the family’s and what i see going back to college is the the best thing need in my life i see new people i make ok money by nit have a degree but i see now with a degree i can do better in my life make more money and live a better life and learn new things and meet new faces being strong in your judgment, typing, reading, speaking better grammar and being able to be strong and positive.
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I agree that college pays off for those who find secure jobs in their field of study, but I disagree that this is the turn out for everyone. Those who complete college and get a job in their field benefit from going to college. Going to college benefits you in expanding your knowledge. Even if you do not go past undergrad school, you can still benefit from having those first four years of college. There are also many different areas to study that are not overwhelmed by the amount of people who have degrees in them. Not only that, but whether or not you even finish college, it can be a good experience for someone to develop themselves. However, there are fields of study where there are too many people who have degrees in them. This causes not everyone to end up finding a job in what they studied. Not only that, but college can be very expensive, and if you have trouble finding a job in your field of study, then going to college might not have paid off as well as you hoped.
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I believe that the college experience is necessary for all students. Economically, it has been proven that going to college is beneficial in the long run, despite the high tuition costs. College graduates earn 83% more and are also less likely to be unemployed than non-graduates, according to the New York feed. Another important economic factor is choosing a lucrative major in college. Graduates who majored in arts, psychology, or social work, had earnings only approximately 29% more than non-graduates but graduates who majored in other highly profitable subjects such as medicine, law, or engineering had earnings 138% higher than high school graduates. Although the costs of tuition have been increasing, the overall long time benefits are definitely greater for college graduates. Carnevale says, “When you add up the premium that college grads benefit from, which can amount to upwards of $10,000 each year, and multiply it by a career that lasts for about 45 years, the cost of a college education is well worth it.” Despite the fact that the cumulative debt of a private four year college is around $31,200, the whole benefits of earning a degree in college are so much more. The long term economic benefits of attending college are extremely promising and that is why I believe that college is necessary for everyone.
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Although the costs of tuition have been increasing, I believe that college is the best option for all students because it is proven that college is beneficial in the long run. The article states that “[a] bachelor’s degree can help recent graduates earn 83 percent more than peers who only completed high school”. This is proof that the majority of college graduate students are better off financially than those that have only finished high school. Furthermore, graduate students that choose majors such as engineering and medicine profit 138 percent higher than high school graduates only. Another considerable economic factor is student debt. The average cumulative debt for a four year student loan for public schools is $25,600, but despite this large number, the value of a college degree is much greater. Once the student has completed school, he or she will earn much more, and can easily pay off debts. These are a few reasons why I believe college is the best option for everyone.
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While this article offers some valid points in favor of a college education, the fact remains that higher education and its worth are still debatable. Certainly, workers with college degrees earn more—sometimes significantly more—than their peers. Even without those degrees and simply a college experience, having additional knowledge and being exposed to various ways of thinking is only helpful in the workforce. Especially in the competitive workforce that exists today, a college degree holder has better prospects when searching for employment. Also, while education is important, sometimes hiring does come down to who you know, not what you know. In regards to this, unless a regular high school graduate has family ties, the college graduate will know more people in the workforce who can tell them of job openings or give them recommendations. Furthermore, going to an elite college, while costs may be higher, often provides an intellectually competitive environment where students are not only pushed to be their best but to make those connections for later in life.
However, college tuition can be alarmingly expensive and not economically feasible for many people. In addition, while college degrees offer more job security, a college degree holder with loans and without a job is in an economically worse situation than a worker without those loans. While college is a wonderful asset for some, if the cost cannot be paid it becomes a heavy burden. This burden can cause just as many troubles later in life as a lack of a college degree can. And regardless of economic factors, college is often not practical for certain people: those that happen to be entering a field where a college degree would not hold as much value as experience. With all this in mind, the worth of a college education is highly dependent on an individual, their economic status, their future plans, etc. As Carnevale states, what would be helpful is guidance for possible college students and their parents to properly assess their options and select the correct one based on their situation.
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I strongly agree with White’s viewpoint. Even though college can put its students into a large amount of debt, college is still a very valuable and powerful tool for success in life. I think college is important because it is proven that college graduates earn a significant amount more money that just high school graduates. Shelling out a large sum of money to gain the expertise and experience that college provides is very much worth it. Many people would argue that college is too expensive and not worth it at all. This is an example of misinformation and misunderstanding. There are scholarships, grants, and financial aid. In addition to those opportunities, there is also community college and in-state school. Going to a college that fits the economic situation of the family is very beneficial.
Some may argue this is not a guarantee in all fields of study. For example, in acting, actors will graduate and attend audition after audition with no callbacks, and thus have to get a job waiting tables or something else unrelated to their degree, and they will have trouble paying off debt. But, this does not make college not worth it. Without a degree, actors could have some trouble finding jobs, but at least they will know they are highly qualified. Without going to college and only having some high school drama experience is not enough. It really comes down to going to a college that fits one’s personal and financial needs, and careful planning so that the debt in the end will not be as overwhelming.
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Though this article is correct, I think there is still uncertainty with costs and wether its worth a higher education. College is something that you go to after high school, thats what I’ve always seen it as. Getting a higher education is important, being more knowledgable as well as better employed serves a great purpose. Then again not going to college in my family is frowned upon, in order to have a successful life, college is the right path. Which stands true, going to college may be another long process of school, but it pays off. After college, higher valued jobs can be obtained and you would be a better informed person. Education is important to me because I see a future with it. Getting a stable job, that pays well is important for me as I get older. Though costs can be high, I think going to a good college is important for my future.
Although going to a good college is beneficial in the long run, its not affordable. If someone has the money to fully pay for college then by all means its a great opportunity waiting to be taken. On the other hand, most people don’t have thousands of dollars to spend for college, especially being in a family with many siblings. While having a stable job, economically it might not be practical. Personally, my family hopes I get a scholarship because theres no way to pay for me after the rest of my brothers and sisters. Student loans may never be payed off till they get a good job. Financial issues are most common in stopping people from going to college, but with that said, most schools offer scholarships, financial aid, and other ways to make it work. Therefore, while college may be too expensive, having a firm stand in education and going to college is more important. If I really wanted to go to college and pursue a career I would find ways to pay for school, having a good job and being knowledgable in my subject is what really matters for my future in the long run.
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College is more than a learning experience; it is a financial investment, and for some this investment is not worth the risk. Recently, there has been widespread unemployment among college graduates, rising student loans, and an increase in the cost of college overall. This influences high school graduates to seriously rethink the option of going to college at all. Many have started to believe that there is no point in receiving a college education, because of the financial risk. Even though college has its dangers, I believe it is well worth it. In White’s article “Even With Debt, College Still Pays Off” she proves why college is still an excellent choice. Many agree with her ideas and believe that “the college experience is necessary for all students”. Research proves that “a bachelor’s degree can help recent graduates earn 83 percent more than peers who only completed high school.” It has also been proven that the wages of a college graduate are about $1,000 more than an experienced worker aged 35-40 with only a high school education. College graduates receive about $10,000 more than other workers yearly; this multiplied by a 45-year career makes the original financial risk worthwhile. White’s article shows the endless advantages of receiving a college education versus stopping after high school. The real world has turn into an increasingly difficult place to find stable jobs, without college education the chances of unemployment greatly increase. By getting a higher education you take a risky financial investment, but in the end it all pays off later in life.
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I qualify with Gillian. People are usually more successful when they receive their college degree. They earn higher salaries since they have a higher education. Some people decide to go to a different route to achieve success. With the high tuitions and difficult work, some students choose to start working early with only a high school degree. Some of the most famous people dropped out of school to pursue their dreams. But for most humans, college is the best way to achieve success.
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I agree with White’s argument. For some, college holds to be a huge financial burden. However, it proves to be a lucrative investment in the long run. It is favorable in human nature to seek more than one already acquires and advance over others in society. One way to achieve success is through gaining wealth with labor.
Modern society is filled with competition. Colleges and graduate schools equip people with a much higher advantage than those who did not attend. On average, unemployment rates decrease more than six percent for those who choose to attend college; thus, chances of poverty and unemployment dramatically decreases with a higher degree. High school graduates may enjoy a stable job with less debt, but they might not find a job at all. Most of those without advanced degrees work unskilled labor that everyone can accomplish with little or no training. College trains unskilled individuals into skilled workers that can better benefit the society.
A recent college graduate easily earns more than a highly experienced high school graduate. With four extra years of school, one can earn double, triple, or even more money than their peers without a college education. Yes, college may be quite costly, but many organizations and schools offer scholarship and the government offers student loans. Furthermore, a student can slowly pay off their college debt over years, which significantly diminishes the pressure on their shoulders. After thirteen years of elementary, middle, and high school, why not go the whole way? One diploma can grant “138 percent higher” wages. Now, that’s something to consider.
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I feel that college should be for everyone no matter your learning speed, Money, Or color. I feel that some of the material that they have you studying in college is maybe more harder then it needs to be. Plus have the stuff they teacher you 9 times out of 10 you are not going to use it. Then the price tag they put on it is seriously is just too much money. I think if you have the opportunity to go to college please do it’s something you will never regret.
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College is an expensive path to take but i think it is worth it. Being accepted into a prestigious college will make yourself, family and friends happy. Also college creates a great experience for students. It it a stepping stone to adulthood and independence. College helps you prepare for the real, tough world that you will tackle on. And having a college graduation will look good on job applications.
It it is very pricey but if someone really wants to succeed in life and work in a successful career, they should take this path. After they graduate, they can work hard to repay the debt. Education is key in a world revolving around money.
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I partially agree with Gillian. Even though it’s possible for a college degree to help expand your options, it isn’t necessary.Some believe that ONLY education, not common sense will get you further in life. But to be honest, it requires both in order to pursue a successful dream and college doesn’t teach common sense; that usually comes after experience. However, according to the statistcs he provided,he kind of exemplified what and where a college degree could get someone, financially. Also, it’s not always about WHAT you knwo, sometimes it’s more of WHO you know. A college degree doesn’t, well it isn’t, supposed to define an individual. As Lopez (first comment) was saying, she never wanted to further her education and didn’t see the use of college, and without a degree, she became a manager, along with being the second highest paid person at her building. But to fulfill her desires a little more, she decided to go to college and sometimes college is just for fulfillment instead of being thought of as a necesseity.
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I agree with Gillian white that, even with the ever increasing student loan debts faced by today’s students, a college education is worth the trouble and will pay off in the end. Not only will a college degree make well-paying, interesting jobs more available, but even with the same job as a worker with only a high school diploma, a worker with a degree receives a significant monetary benefit.
In this day and age, especially in the United States, unemployment has become quite an evident issue. For many families, this threatens their financial security. In one day they could lose their job and their entire source of income. In the short term, families with these fears would not think of paying the vast tuition for a modern college education, but this significant investment could secure their career in the future. Worker with degrees are far more desired by employers, especially in the higher paying career fields. Rather than struggling to seek out a stable job with mediocre pay,a degree allows you to choose from a variety of career options that will sustain your lifestyle with money left over to use as you please. Some may say, “even with a stable job, I would have all that student debt from my four or more years of college.” The average annual earnings of those with degrees exceeds the debt accumulated by four years of college education, but it also exceeds the average earnings of high school diploma holders by 80%! So even if it may seem like you’re digging yourself deeper into debt, within a few years all the debt will be gone and you will be on your way to a successful lifelong career.
Even though degrees make well-paying jobs more accessible and easier to gain employment in, those with only high school diplomas still have the ability to work their way to the same job you have through years and years of working experience. So why go through four years of financially burdening education when you could spend those four years gaining professional experience without all the debt and still get the same job? Premiums. Even with the same job, just the fact that you have a college degree earns you a sizable addition to your salary known as a premium. These premiums amount from $10000 and up! So after many years, a college graduate could have payed off their debt and a non college graduate could have gained the professional experience necessary to get that same job in the same amount of time. Even though both people end up in the same place after the same length of time, the college graduate still automatically earns money, and that is the true financial benefit of getting a college education.
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I agree with Priya in the view that college is worth the economic debt that comes from school loans and living expenses; although it does matter if college is useful to the student after they finish school. Glillian says “Though the cost of college is increasing, a variety of empirical evidence suggests that the earnings associated with a bachelor’s degree still trump the debt that students incur in most cases.” I do not believe that different people use a bachelor’s degree for similar jobs that earn similar amounts of money. Every single person has a different use of a degree and they uses it in different ways. Some of those ways may be better at paying of the debt that they had fallen into. The economic problems that college causes student, I believe is worth it in some cases but not in others. When a student plans on going on to a well paying job I believe that it would be worth for them to pay large amounts of money to get that education, but if the student plans on going into a field with a lower amount of pay i don’t believe it is worth it. Of course there is a line between not worth it and worth it, but I understand it as a different line for every single person. Everyone has to make their own economic choices based on what they enjoy and what they want to achieve in their life.
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For past few years, there has been an increase in unemployment rate to college-degree students due to the financial burden; therefore, some students with high school diploma does not want to take the risk of college education. However, I believe that college is the best option for every students. Although there is a huge debt from college education, the education is not only beneficial for learning experience, but also for various opportunities to earn more money than employers with only a high school diploma.
Some people might question why would they take college education if they are going to earn the same job as the employees with high school diploma with debts. The earnings from the premium is the reason why students desire to attend college education. I agree that debts are overwhelming for some people to overcome, but a premium worth more than $10,000 dollars per year, which significantly can reduce the loans and eventually obtains more money than the peers. Also in the “Unemployment Rates by Degree and Experience Level Graph”, the graph demonstrates that there is about an eight percent difference between all graduate-degree holders and all high school diploma holders, which may seem like a small number, but it is actually significantly large gap. For example, if about 10,000 people lose a job per week, there are about 800 more high school diploma holders who lost their jobs than the graduate-degree holders; and the number would increase by 800 per week, which is a great threat to the high school diploma holders.
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As widespread unemployment and ever-rising student debt plague college graduates today, many are beginning to question the value of a college education. In her article “Even With Debt, College Still Pays Off,” in The Atlantic Magazine, Gillian White makes her case in favor of a higher education. I strongly agree with her favorable view of college education as college graduates earn significantly more than their lesser educated peers, and are far less likely to end up unemployed in the long-term.
Although the price of a college education is increasing, vast evidence shows that the earnings of college graduates with bachelor’s degrees more than compensates for student loan debt incurred. In fact, data from the New York Fed shows that college graduates earn roughly 80 percent more than their lesser educated peers who either didn’t attend or finish undergrad in college. Additionally, further evidence suggests that recent college graduates ages 22 to 26 earn roughly 83% more than those with just a high school diploma. The majors and careers chosen by college students play a major role in the long-term return that college has to offer. Liberal arts majors like the arts, psychology, and social work generate earnings 29% higher on average than high school graduates, while more lucrative fields of study like engineering and medicine result in a whopping 138% higher earnings. Unemployment is a major issue that plagues our nation’s economy. Those without college degrees are finding that it is much harder to find a stable, well-paying job. Companies and businesses look for individuals with experience and education, and those with merely a high school education often don’t make the cut. A college degree provides a sense of job security that cannot be found in those with just a high school degree. Researchers from Georgetown found that the earnings that college and advanced degree holders enjoy has remained relatively stable throughout the U.S. recession. Anthony P. Carnevale argues that the long-term benefits of a college education are well worth it, and in my opinion, this could not be more true.
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Even with the increasing financial burden of college, it is worth the price. College graduates earn, on average, 80% more than their peers who did not pursue higher education. An experienced graduate degree holder can expect to earn, on average, $83,000 annually. On the other hand, a high school graduate might only earn, on average, $25,000 annually. This drastic gap is also seen in unemployment rates. Unemployment rates drop from 11.8% with all high school diploma holders to 3.3% with all graduate degree holders. This 8.5% decrease shows the overwhelming impact of education on financial security. The initial economic burden of a college education creates a more secure lifestyle later on.
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Even though college may put you in debt, I believe that its worth the trouble. College gives you an never before seen experience. Not to forget the fact that college graduates earn more than drop-outs. They also have a better chance of pursuing a job. According to a study, recent college grads aged 22 to 26 have earnings that are 83 percent higher than those who have only a high-school diploma. The opposing side may argue that some of the world’s greatest minds such as Bill Gates never attended college and still managed to become a highly respected man in society. But, the truth is that not every one in society is capable of achieving such things. Of course money can’t buy you happiness, but it can allow you to pursue the American dream.
As for jobs, college graduates have a tendency to get hired quicker than those who are high school graduates. So maybe the debt may be overwhelming, but if you go to college and land a good job then that debt could be paid in no time. The American dream for the most part is to get a good job and live happily. In most cases this can be easily achieved through college level education. Education is needed for today’s generation to take us to greater heights and in order to achieve that they must put small worries such as debt behind. In doing so they create a brighter future filled with happiness for themselves. That being said, I do believe that students should worry less about debt and pursue a higher level of education.
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I believe that whether or not college is worth it depends on the person. Someone who is interested in a field that requires a college education (doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.) probably should attend college in order to achieve what they want to achieve. But someone who is interested in a field that may not need a college education (musician, comedian, professional gamer, etc.) should consider their options before attending college. But something to think about is the differences in the hiring rates between college graduates and non-college graduates. Individuals who attend college are much more likely to be hired than someone who has not attended college but applies for the same job or position.
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College is a major decision in ones life. Some might argue that in the current economy, college might not be a good option. In my opinion College should always be the priority.Evidence proves that people who go to college make a usual and significant more amount of money than those who do not. College gives skills to the students that will allow for a good job with a good salary. Without college, the student may lack skills deemed necessary for a job with good salary. Even with debt college is a Good choice, once college is over and you score a god job the money will arrive to pay for the debts. All in all college is a good decision for everyone.
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While I agree on White’s points the value of college education in employment and social mobility, I do not agree that college is always something that “pays off” in most cases.
In most cases, college is the best way to gain a higher education in one’s field and a gateway to much more opportunities available to those who are qualified with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many companies and businesses are looking to hire employees experienced in their work, with years of learning and studying at a collegiate institution. In some cases, the massive student loans may even be paid off by the benefits of higher learning, which includes larger employment rates, higher salary, and improved social mobility.
However, I do not take White’s argument that college pays off in most cases. As several readers who composed comments below pointed out, the data White cites contain some errors, a few of which are glaring. The data White provides distinguishes between neither major nor institute. An art bachelors from a community college lumped together with bachelor’s degree surgeon students attending Princeton under “college students” renders the data very ambiguous in virtue and perhaps even inaccurate. Furthermore, the numbers possibly lead into false conclusions that fail to represent the college student and graduate population of America.
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I absolutely think that college is a valuable tool, but not one that everyone needs to use. Our society places far too much emphasis on intellectual/white-collar careers, and dismiss more trade-oriented work as unintelligent. This ideology ignores the fact that human society rides entirely on the back of skilled professionals in the construction, maintenance, and industrial fields. For these individuals, a technical or trade school education is far superior to a college one. A career as an inventor, writer, or CEO is subject to the shifting winds of the economy, as well as public taste and culture, but the oft-touted maxim of technical education still rings true: there’s always work for mechanics. While college is necessary for those who pursue an intellectual path, the technical or manual laborer doesn’t need to go through that level of study- and that’s a good thing. This option allows people who have learning disabilities, test poorly, or generally fail to perform in a school environment to circumvent those experiences, and not suffer through 2-4 years of humiliation and poor self-esteem because they don’t think like everyone else does.
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Today’s society is filled with competition. Colleges and graduate schools allow people to have a higher advantage than those who do not attend. On average, unemployment rates decrease more than six percent for those who choose to attend college; therefore, chances of unemployment dramatically decrease when you have a higher degree. High school graduates might be able enjoy a stable job with less debt, but it is possible that they might not find a job at all. Most people who lack an advanced degree work unskilled jobs that most people can accomplish with little or no training. Colleges can train you on a specific skill, so you can apply that skill to the real world and better the society.
Even though college is an expensive path to take, I think I is well worth it. Even with increasing student loan debts, in the end, a college education will be worth it. A college education can open the door for so many well-paying and interesting jobs that most likely would not be available with just a high school diploma. I do believe that if you get a high paying job, than all that money that you paid for college will be worth it, and it will pay off. But, with this in mind, it is different for everyone. Everyone has their own economic choices they need to make based on their economic status and what field they want to go into.
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College is not an easy feet to accomplish, both academically and, for many, financially. The large tuition prevents many from attending universities, as well as leading students to question whether the pros of the continued education will outweigh the cons. I strongly believe that they do. Studies show that a college degree leads to a significantly greater income than one would be able to earn without having gone to college. Higher levels of jobs are available and there’s a better chance of one being able to achieve a job that they are happy with or have always wanted, rather than being limited due to not having gone to college. In the long run, money will not be lost because of tuition payments.
Not only does a college degree result in a higher paying job, but mentally it is also rewarding. The feeling of accomplishment from graduating college is one that lasts a lifetime. Students are rewarded for their years of hard work and know that they have succeeded in something difficult to accomplish. The intangible in this case is just as rewarding as the tangible, and if a college path is in any way possible for a student, it should be strived for. It will pay for itself and more in the end.
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With the rising cost of a higher level education, many are pondering the benefits of pursuing a college degree. Gillian White, in his article titled “Even With Debt, College Still Pays Off,” argues for the long-term economic benefits of entering the workforce as a college graduate rather than only a high school graduate. I agree with White’s claims and believe that despite its temporary economic burden, a college education is still beneficial.
The costs of enrollment and tuition at most universities or colleges are leaving many young adults in great debt. Student loans can be a heavy load, but research shows that the difference in salaries between a college graduate and a high school graduate is greater than average student debt. White even claims that years of work experience means nothing compared to the four years spent pursuing a degree. If college is meant to prepare youth for successful careers, it is still well worth the time and money.
However, as White claims, there are issues concerning informing families of the possibilities when it comes to choosing colleges and majors. White quotes Anthony P. Carnevale saying “‘[i]t’s really a matter of building an information system.'” Institutions need to strive towards advising families approaching college about the possible dangers of debt.
Although some may have it worse than others, for the average person, a college education is well worth the investment when it comes to getting high paying jobs later in life.
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Recently, there has been a focus about the rise of unemployment of college graduates and a rise in college tuition. In White’s article “Even With Debt, College Still Pays Off”, she proves that college is still an excellent decision. I agree 100% with White’s opinion. College provides a higher education which leads to a person less likely to be unemployed. College graduates usually get paid more than non college graduates.
While many people think college tuition is very expensive, that argument is not nearly as strong as the benefits of a college education. There are scholarships, financial aid, and in-school state tuition is much cheaper. In addition, by getting a higher education, the person has more knowledge and would be better paid than one without a college education. Data from the New York Fed shows that college graduates earn about 80 percent more than their less educated peers who either didn’t attend or finish their undergrad in college. By getting paid more, a person can easily pay off any college debts they might have. It is also proven that college graduates have a better chance at finding a better quality job. College grads choose careers that have a greater impact on the community such as becoming a doctor which gets 138% higher earnings than a high school graduate. College not only increases a persons knowledge, but it significantly increases the chances of getting a job with higher pay.
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I agree with Mr.Gillman that the value of a college education is high. It is proven that having a college education is beneficial in the long haul even though you might have a chance of being in debt. Students who graduate from college earn 83% more than those who do not and are less likely to be unemployed . Education is what takes you through the world . Students who major in arts,psychology ,or social work had an earning of more than 29% more than non-graduates ,but students who studied in areas that make a lot of money make 138% more than those who don’t have a college education. Even though people argue about the cost of college in the long run it is economically beneficial and has a bright future ahead if you do obtain a college education.
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With this argument, I agree with Gillian for the most part, but also do not at the same time. This day and age, a lot of people cant go to college because the tuition fees are extremely high. Yes, college allows you to go into a better occupation than not going to college, but to what means? To the means of paying off student loans your whole life? What about having to work your yourself to the extreme in school to get a scholarship to lessen the fees? The “college still pays off” statement I disagree with.
What’s the point in going to college if you have to put yourself in massive debt from student loans? It’s not guaranteed that you will get a really good job with a high pay that you can easily pay off your debt. You could still get a job that someone who hadn’t gone to college has. If I was to spend a lot of money for a little bit of higher education than that is required of you to take, I’d want to make sure I would get a good job, but you cant do that in this economy anymore. Granted, with the counter to that it still “pays off” because you have the ability to acquire a job that someone who didn’t go to college could not get, but that is only a possibility once again, not guaranteed. But, it us up to the individual to decide if they think college “pays off” and wants to go. Don’t get me wrong, even though I don’t always see it “paying off”, I would go college for the higher education and the possibility of it paying off.
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I am not so sure that you need a college education to succeed. If I had young kids I would try to teach them this philosophy. College grads study to become engineers, doctors lawyers architects physiology and many other fields. For instance if you take up engineering you are competing with engineers from other countries such as India where an engineer makes $6000 a year. In this day and age with the internet and computers if you have a job to do you can hire a foreign firm to the the job and that leaves Americans out of jobs. There are many college graduates who settle in their chosen profession and become too comfortable and there is not a great push to earn more money. When I retired I found out that many people that did not go to college got a pension. My pension is I can keep on moonlighting for which if I don’t carry an omission and errors insurance policy I can lose everything including my personal belongings. Further more I need to carry the insurance policy for six years after I do the last project and the premium is much greater then the last fee for my last job.
I know some people that went to work after HS who will get a pension equal to 85% of their last wages they earned. I know some people who did not got to college but went into a business and now are billionaires such as Mike Iliac the owner of little Ceasers Pizzeria, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red wings.
The point I am making is a person who does not go to college may have a point to prove or he is hungrier than a college student. Her can also work for 4 years while going while his friend has to get a loan for 4 years of college. The guy that did not go to college has about a $100,000 to invest in a business while the guy that went to college may have $100,000 in debt or more plus interest to pay back his loan. There is also many college students working somewhere at minimum wage and if you think you can get better, tell me what businessman would hire someone for $40,000 plus when he knows that when you get an offer for a job in your field you will say goodbye and he loses the training he lost when he trained you.
So as I retired all I have is social Security to which I paid my whole life for and then there is politicians who are trying to take it away from me. Then there is also clients I moonlighted for that are holding up my fee saying that they haven’t been paid yet by their customer and I say I was hired by you not your customer and you are responsible to pay my fee and it does not help. They also may not abide by their agreement and its my loss.
I would like to come back to this because as I write it I keep coming up with more ammunition.
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The title of the article presents a positive picture and benefits about getting a college degree and why college is beneficial to a person. And in some ways I can relate to that but when you read the bloggers comments they do not all agree with that. The article and bloggers both share different opinions about college and if it is beneficial to everyone. Two of the bloggers, Angela Yatooma and Risham Sidhu are basically trying to say that college is not something that you absolutely need, people can still live on happy lives without college. It will just be a little harder for people without college degrees to find advanced and high paying jobs. They were trying to say that everyone learns things differently and believes in different things and they are allowed to choose which path that they would like to take. Although going to college will benefit you in the long run, also not going to college can also turn out really well for an individual.
I agree with Risham Sidhu and Angela Yatooma. Yes, college is important and yes it is easier for somebody with a college degree to get a more advanced and higher paying job, but college is not for everyone. People have different ways of studying and if they realize that college is not for them then they know that they will not be able to find high paying jobs and if they are okay with that then I think they should be left alone. Everybody has a different mindset and a different way to approach situations. Risham Sidhu is also right when he says that getting a job is not always about your knowledge but it is also about the people that you know, there are some people without college degrees who are able to get advanced and high paying jobs because of the people they know around them. So although college is important there is still a way to get through with your life and make money without a college degree. You do not need college but if you do go then it will benefit you.
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This article contains good points as to why college is worth it but, with other points made it is still debatable. Blogger Marlisa Lopez argued, you can still have the same mental capacity as a college graduate does with only having a high school diploma. Lopez continued to say how she never wanted to further a college education because she maintained a good job through high school and was top of her class. Later on she did decide to go to college to get the experience and she loved it. She became fond of learning and furthering her education even though she didn’t have to. Her final say is that college isn’t for everyone and if you have a steady job and are in a good place then there’s no rush to continue school. Blogger Priya Pohani argued, that the college experience is necessary for all students. It has been proven economically that college is beneficial, despite the tuition costs. College graduates earn 83% more and are less likely to be unemployed than non-graduates, according to New York feed. Another argument is that depending on what degree you choose, you can make more. The article compares graphs that include recent high school graduates, college, and graduate school experiences and where they’re annual earnings are. Based on the graphs, the higher degree you have, the more you will make and the more you are successful.
I have mixed feelings towards the debate of whether college is worth it or not. As Lopez argued, she did not need a college education because she was at a good place with work and her education. She ended up going to college and loved it but she didn’t necessarily need it. I agree with her that not everyone is meant to go to college and needs to. However, I also agree with Pohani that there are great benefits to continuing a college education. There are statistics showing that essentially a higher education will lead to a stable position.
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I agree with White in that college is a good investment and getting a better education does pay off. As Zoey Otto claimed, even if you only complete 4 years of college still having that undergraduate experience helps you gain more knowledge toward skills you will need in the real world. Even if you hate school you should still try furthering your education. If you leave after your first year, just having that little bit of a college education can expand your skills a great deal. On the other hand Otto did say that college might not really be the right move for some people. In the article White stated that those who graduate college with a bachelor’s degree are 83% more likely to find a job than their friends who only completed high school. As Priya Pohani emphasized choosing a college major is so important. A degree in a highly profitable major makes so much more money than a person with only a high school diploma. Pohani also argued that even though college is expensive and it might not seem worth it, in the end the benefits outweigh the negatives.
I have mixed feelings about what White, Otto, and Pohani said. Yes, college places a huge burden on you economically but in the long run it is beneficial. Going to college teaches you very valuable skills that you probably wouldn’t learn having stopped education at high school. However like Otto claimed, college really isn’t for everyone and some people just aren’t meant to go to college. I do agree with White and Pohani that college is essentially beneficial in the long run. Pohani reminded us of specific statistics as to why college is beneficial which makes me think that way more people should really consider a college education.
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When it comes to the topic of “Is college the Best Option?”, Most of us will readily agree that it is the best option. Growing up teachers—and perhaps even parents—have mentioned on multiple occasions that the key to having a highly successful, well paying job is to go to college and get a start on a carer. Where this agreement ends, however, is on the question of “Is it worth it?”. Whereas some are convinced that it is indeed worth it because it will them a high-paying job, others maintain that it might not be worth the financial risk. Gillian White starts off her article on a positive note stating “In [current] economic terms, the answer [to the question of whether or not college is really worth it]is yes. However, she does seem to become a little less optimistic as she starts to conclude her article. she goes around to explaining that one should choose the right major that pays a good amount so that financial debts from student loans can get paid off. I believe there is an argument of whether or not Gillian truly is all for high school students to go on to college. My personal view on the situation is that college may truly be worth the costs and investments because it is all about what you make out of it. If one is looking for parties, sleep, and lazy days, then no maybe college is not worth it for you. on the other hand, if one is looking to make an actual investment in his or her personal education and wishes to make something out of it, then yes college is for you.
Although many bloggers did not follow through with the tradition of incorporating the “they say” with the “I say” I do agree with those that say college is financially worth it. Emilee LeMarie states in her blog: “Today’s society is filled with competition. Colleges and graduate schools allow people to have a higher advantage than those who do not attend.” I agree with LeMarie when she speaks on this. When an employer goes to look at two job applications and sees that one applicant has graduated from high school with a high GPA and excellent grades; and another applicant who has graduated from Stevenson University with a Masters Degree in Business Management, who will the employer pick? The really smart high school graduate or the Stevenson graduate? Sure they both could have something very unique to offer the employer, but the Stevenson graduate has invested more time into their education and could maybe offer more than high school graduate. In sum, college has a lot to offer anyone who is willing to invest the time in expanding their horizons. The question of whether or not if it is financially worth it or not really depends on the motivation and outcome you are looking for.
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College is a huge investment and has the possibility to pay off big if you land the job you want Zoey Otto says “I agree that college pays off for those who find secure jobs” it’s true that it cost a lot for school and if you can’t find a job then you’re stuck with a mountain of debt (depending if you graduate with debt) and you can’t find a that has those big pay checks to overcome the debt one has accumulated and overcome it, and worse you study for so long time to get this degree and if no job comes available to you then you wasted all your time and money.
With college you don’t pay for just a piece of paper after 4 years that states you have a bachelors in whatever major you are a part of you pay for the experience of going to college and you also pay for connections into the workforce blogger Samantha Hackett says that “college is still a very valuable and powerful tool for success in life” and even if you don’t find a job employers will still notice that college degree and perhaps that will lead to a job connection down the line.
In my personal opinion college is worth the money I agree with Hackett that college for the experience and the connections you gain through college is worth it, and that employers will notice the degree. But however I also agree with Otto in that if you don’t find a job then what is the point of going my brother had a degree in history and never found a job in it so that was a waste but he also found other jobs because he just went to college so I believe that going to college is worth it,
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I understand the points that Gillian is making throughout his article. However, that does not mean I agree with him one-hundred percent. There are plenty of jobs that pay well that do not require a college degree, but they tend to be more dangerous. College is not a thing everyone wishes to go to, and not everyone needs to go to it. If an individual does not have the means to pay for college tuition and does not believe they will have the means to pay it off in the future either, then why should they go? Not everyone believes a higher education is necessary for what they wish to do. I strongly believe if someone is happy not going to college, and can supports themselves and one day a family then go them.
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White may have included the quote, “…college is still worth it. It’s just that most people can’t afford it.” because in her article she is explaining that when graduated from college it’s easier to find a job to make the money back spent on college. The hard work and money spent on college will be worth it in the long run. White included the quote in her article because she wants to prove her statement with a professor who did research on the topic. The quote contributes to her main argument because White expresses that most people that have graduated from college don’t have as much trouble finding a job as a person with a high school diploma. The money spent on college will eventually be made back with having a good job.
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According to Aia Amoguis, “Without college, the student may lack skills deemed necessary for a job with good salary.”, I believe is true because college leaves you with many experiences. Experiences that will help you with everyday life and things that one may never have learned in high school.
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According to Priya Pohani, “College graduates earn 83% more and are also less likely to be unemployed than non-graduates, according to the New York feed.” I agree because would a business rather have a high school graduate or a more knowledgeable college student who has experience in the field working for the company? A person with a degree and more schooling will make more money. The college student will present more tips and strategies for the company that the high school student may never have learned.
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3.
In White’s article, she stated, “…college is still worth it. It’s just that most people can’t afford it.” I think White included that quote in her article to highlight that college is beneficial but it may not be beneficial to some people if they cannot afford the cost of education. Others may have other important obligations to spend money on rather than investing money into a college education. White’s main argument is that people who have attended college and received advanced degrees will earn 80% more than people who didn’t attend college or didn’t finish college. Also, college graduates are less likely to be unemployed than peers who didn’t go to college. White’s quote contributes to her argument because better jobs with higher wages and premiums will be beneficial later in life. Although college tuition is very expensive, college graduates will be able to pay off their debt over time and still be able to enjoy their high wages and premiums by having a high paying job.
According to LeMaire, “Most people who lack an advanced degree work unskilled jobs that most people can accomplish with little or no training. Colleges can train you on a specific skill, so you can apply that skill to the real world and better the society.” I find LeMaire’s quote interesting because people who lack college degrees work unskilled jobs that most people can apply for but college graduates are trained to work skillful jobs that most common people cannot acquire. Skillful jobs are unique because only people who have college degree(s) are qualified for the job.
Amoguis agrees when she writes, “College gives skills to the students that will allow for a good job with a good salary. Without college, the students may lack skills deemed necessary for a job with good salary.” Also, companies and businesses will hire people with a college degree(s) over someone with a high school diploma because they know college students are more skillful and have aquired advance training for their work positions. People with high school diplomas lack skills and training; they will not be successful in jobs that are advanced and have high wages and premiums.
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With the quote that is being addressed (see question 3 above) I feel as if it was essential to incorporate that in order to add emphasis to her main point that economically college can be unappealing but the financial stability does pay off in the long run. Because of the article opening with “A bachelor’s degree can help recent graduates earn 83 percent more than peers who only completed high school” the main idea is interpreted almost immediately and can continue to be reflected on through out the piece. In my opinion, I completely agree with White. She effectively states and supports her point that it is more than understandable to be financially intimidated by the costs of a higher education but the increase in annual income the education brings will pay back all that is borrowed in due time all the while being able to comfortably support oneself. However, I simultaneously agree with Sarah Stephan because for some individuals I can see why they may feel like it is still not all worth it. Today, we have trade schools and other forms of post high school education that are more budget friendly and can still increase income for households although it will not be as much of an increase compared to that of a college graduate. Ms. Angela Yatooma also comes with another valid point that contests Whites main idea and that is that school and college is not always necessary or the right fit for everyone. The typical classroom setting can grow old to some but when it comes to people who have a learning disorder or something that uncontrollably holds them back from pursuing higher education, paying so much money to go to college isn’t something they think about. As society and technology continues to evolve it is true that a college degree, no matter how expensive it is, will benefit financially in the long term but there are also other ways of obtaining a higher education after high school without necessarily attending a two or four year college.
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I believe that college is a need in todays world. As the studies show that people with a better degree make more money and are very successful in life. If that’s the case then everyone should get a chance and go to college. Yes it’s very expensive and some people can’t afford it but some people need to take out loans and try to get some college experience. Without any college the odds of getting a job right out of high school that makes a decent amount of money is very slim. It’s going to be well worth it when you have a high paying job, nice house, nice car all because you went in the right path and went to college to get your degree. That being said, college will pay off in the long run and have you a job as soon as you’re done instead of being unemployed.
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I have mixed feelings on what Zoey Otto, and Priya Pohani, Yes, school puts a tremendous weight on you but after the years of school it has it’s advantages. Attending a university shows you extremely important abilities that you wouldn’t learn from the teachers at your grade school. However like Otto said, school truly isn’t for everybody and a few individuals simply aren’t right for college. I do agree with White and Pohani that school is basically gainful over time. Pohani helped us to remember why school is valuable and it makes me feel that way more individuals should consider a school instruction.
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In her article “Even with Debt, College Still Pays Off” Gillian White explains why in economic terms, she believes college is a good investment in the end. She states “Though the cost of college is increasing,variety of evidence suggest that the earnings associated with a bachelors degree.” In other words college grads have a better chance of being exposed to higher earnings during each level of there career compared to those who have only earned there high school diploma.White supports her statement with various amounts of data including how graduates between the ages 25-34 earnings are between 92-229 percent more than peers without college degrees.
After stating many positives about why college is still worth it, White includes Research done by Anthony P. Carnevale researcher professor at Georgetown. Carnevale feels “…college is worth it. It’s just people cant afford it.He says this after he explains that while college is great, it can still has it’s financial burden. Data showed that the average student loan debt for a public four year college was $25,600, and for the private four year college it was about $31,200. I believe White includes this research to include a partial counterargument with her idea that college is a completely positive investment. She includes it to show her sympathy with the possible burdens students are up against.This research still relates to he main argument because she feels that college is still worth it. I strongly agree with her. However there has to be multiple and better ways that can relieve stressful debt from the students. Students shouldn’t have to bare the battle alone. The main reason they have debt is from attending the college. The college is to be held accountable to give guidance to these students as a way of planting the idea that this is still a good investment in the end. Colleges should help students get there money’s worth, and show how the can go about there career with a plan. In the end this will help students make smarter choices and in their possibly lucrative career still feel like college was worth it.
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Although I agree with Emilee up to a point, I cannot except her overall conclusion that college graduates have a higher advantage than those who do not attend. Although I disagree with some that Emilee says, I fully endorse her conclusion that “society is filled with competition.” Though I concede that college will give you the best option at a job, I still insist that one will most definitely get the highest paid job with a college education. Emily provides evidence that with a high school diploma, most jobs go out the window. I disagree, we no longer live in the American Dream and because of this, even those with high quality college education still have a very difficult time finding jobs out of college.
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I agree with Gillian that college is still very much worth it. Although the decision to attend college is not for everyone. In reference to question number 3,I think that White included that quote to show that the reason most people do not go to college is because of the high cost. In White’s view “Though the cost of college is increasing, a variety of empirical evidence suggests that the earnings associated with a bachelor’s degree still trump the debt that students incur in most cases” (White). In other words Gillian White is saying that even though college has a high cost,once you graduate with a degree and find a stable job the pay you receive will be enough to pay off the debt you have from college. This contributes to her main argument by showing that going to college and getting a degree will help you find a more successful job that will give you financial stability for the future. Gillian herself writes, “Overall, recent college grads aged 22 to 26 have earnings that are 83percent higher than early-career workers who have only a high-school diploma..” (White). The essence in Gillian’s argument is that college is well worth the money you pay for it. Having a college degree will get you very far in life and open up new opportunities in the future that people with just a high-school diploma may not have.
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I feel that White wrote that quote because she believes in what she is saying. I feel that her quote supports her entire argument and the fact if you graduate college with almost any degrees you will be at a high standing point then some one who only has a high school diploma. Spending money to gain the expertise and experience that college provides is worth it. People argue that college is too expensive and not worth it at all. There is financial aid out there that can help you though college.
I would like to comment on Evelyn Milam post. I agree with you that there are high paying jobs out there that don’t require you to have a degree. I also agree that not every one wants to go to college because either they feel like they don’t need to or they can’t afford it or. But there are financial aid grants and scholarships out there for people to have.
would like to comment on Shino Someya post. I agree with all the statements that you said. College is an expensive path but it is a path that is worth taking. It it a stepping stone for the rest of your life. but you shouldn’t really worry about the price because financial aid grants and scholarships out there for people to have.
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I would like to comment on Adam Michalak. I do agree with him when he states that college is worth taking, and that it’s a stepping stone for the rest of your life.I think as long as the college is helping and guiding the student with financial aid and stability as a whole in order to higher limits, then college is definitely the best way to go. Most times students need that support to feel secure about their choice.
– I would like to comment on Stone Allen. I definitely agree that everyone deserves the opportunity to attend college. Yes, everyone has an opportunity to more high paying jobs than those who don’t attend. However I have to disagree when implies that the student can just get a loan,and that’s how they can get through college. Some people aren’t that fortunate to just go and sign off on a loan. There has to be better ways to attend the school of choice. As I stated colleges have to keep up the will to assist the student to get to that point. Whether that means ample financial aid or scholarships, they need some type of stability. The burden shouldn’t completely be student’s. I understand college is a business, but if colleges sincerely want students to attend their institution,they need to be willing to help out as well.
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I agree with Gillian White in saying that even with the increasing number of students finding themselves with student loans over their heads, a college degree is still worth it. However, “It’s just that most people can’t afford it” (White) which makes the situation difficult. With not being able to afford higher schooling you miss out on the opportunity of receiving a well paid job right out of college. On a recent study taken it is statistically proven that “recent college graduate has median earnings of about $37,000, which is about $1,000 more than an experienced worker aged 35 to 54 who only has a high-school education”(White). This really make you think because even after all of your students loans, you’re immediate job after college will provide you with earnings of 1000 dollars more than an experienced worker. With that money you could begin paying of all of your loans and still be able to provide for yourself. Along with all of that, you will have great knowledge and skills that will benefit your everyday life. College will teach you crucial life skills and will provide you with a steady job right after college. With making more money right out of college than an 35-54 year old experienced worker, you will have the best start to success possible. In the long run and after mounds of students loans, I agree with White in saying that college is still worth it.
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