Is College Worth the Time and Money?

With the founder of PayPal awarding 20 $100,000 Thiel Fellowships to 20 college students who are willing to drop out of college and focus on their entrepreneurial endeavors, there has been a lot of talk about if college is actually worth it in the real world. Today we are investigating whether it is worth the time, the money, and the effort it takes to earn a college degree.

1. Employers choose candidates with college degrees. In the hiring process, if it comes down to a candidate with a college degree, and a candidate without a degree, recruiters and employers will opt for the college graduate nearly every single time.
2. College opens more doors. College will give you the opportunity to meet future mentors and business partners. “4 years is a long time, but the economical, personal growth, and intellectual opportunities last longer,” says Shonda Goward with First Generation University.
3. Technical schools count as higher education. For people who want to become a welder, car mechanic, or an airplane pilot, they’ll have better luck in a trade or technical school than 4-year college.
4. In college you learn how to learn. Even if you go to college to earn an English degree, you will develop strategies for how to learn, a life skill that you will use for decades to come.
5. Some careers require college. Obviously, if you want to become a surgeon, a lawyer, a registered nurse, an engineer, a university professor, or a CPA, college is not an option.
6. College isn’t just for teenagers and 20somethings. Even established professionals see the value and return on investment in going back to college to earn more certifications and credentials. Night school, online classes and Executive MBA programs allow professionals to gain the education they need without having to put their careers on hold.
7. College graduates have a healthier family life. College graduates are more likely to spend more time with family, teach their children important values, and prepare them for important life experiences.
8. College graduates make more than high school graduates. The average college graduate with a bachelor degree earns $52,200 annually, compared to the $30,400 salary high school graduates make annually. And it doesn’t stop there. Those with professional degrees can earn $100,000+ annually. (Source: The Price and Payoff of a College Degree)

What do you think? Is college worth it?