“To be successful and make good money, you must have a college degree.”You’ve probably heard some version of that declaration since you were old enough to understand words. So, you grew up figuring you’d go to college. Show
But now that you’re grown up and it’s time to start looking at which university or college you’ll attend after graduation, you realize: higher education is way expensive. Haven’t we all heard the stories—which right about now might be starting to seem scarier than a horror flick—about college graduates who get good jobs that might as well be minimum wage gigs because most of their paychecks go toward paying off student loans—for a decade? And to pile on even more, lately everyone’s dream employers—Apple, Google and Netflix, to name a few—have stopped requiring a degree to get in the door. Apple’s Tim Cook estimates about half of his U.S. workforce doesn’t have a four-year degree—and he also doesn’t think higher ed teaches the skills business leaders need the most. So, you could be forgiven for wondering why you should waste four-plus years and a ton of money you might never earn back when you can just jump into a great job right after high school. After all, if the CEO of the most successful company in the known universe is saying it might not be worth it go to college anymore, who are you to say he’s wrong, right? RIGHT??? Actually…not quite. In fact, it turns out that earning a college degree really, truly does pay off. And not just in your eventual paycheck, but in less visible ways that benefit those around you, from your local community to the world at large. Here are some real-world numbers and facts to ponder as you consider what your next move should be once you have your high school diploma in hand. (Sources appear at the end of this article.) All the Numbers
Job Security
Quality of Life
Random Facts
Of course, statistics don’t tell the whole story. Because while you certainly could step straight out of high school into the high-paying job of your dreams, the odds are slim unless your dream job is an electrical power-line installer or a construction rigger. Both are honorable jobs performed by hard-working people every day, but the fact is they’re tough and physically demanding in a way that not everyone is cut out for. However, statistics can tell you enough of the story to help you realize that maybe college is the place you want to be after all. Not just so you’ll earn more money—although that’s definitely a nice incentive—or get a cushy job in a comfortable air-conditioned office. College is where you go to find yourself—and more often than not, the you who comes out with your degree, ready to take on the world, is not the same you who went in four years earlier. During those years, you’ll find friends, mentors, knowledge and inspiration that will help you lay the foundation for a happy, secure and fulfilling future. And trust us, there’s nothing more priceless than that. If you’re searching for the you that you want to be, we invite you to learn more about Rochester University in your college search. Here at Rochester University, you’ll achieve the academic excellence, global awareness, character and leadership you need to succeed in a changing, exciting and inspiring world. Sources: “How Much Is a College Degree Worth?” by Alison Doyle, thebalancecareers.com, June 25, 2019. “How does a college degree improve graduates’ employment and earnings potential?” by the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities, aplu.org, undated. “Pay gap between college grads and everyone else at a record,” by Christopher S. Rugaber, usatoday.com, January 12, 2017. “The Economic Impact of College Degrees,” by Abi Tupa, collegepossible.org, August 23, 2018. “Is College Worth It? Going Beyond Averages,” by Douglas Webber, PhD, thirdway.org, September 18, 2018. “New York Fed Says College is ‘Worth It’ Albeit With Caveats,” by Shelly Hagan, Bloomberg.com, June 11, 2019. “Going to college is one of the best investments you can make—even if it doesn’t feel like it,” by Andy Kiersz, businessinsider.com, June 6, 2019. “Nearly half of indebted millennials say college wasn’t worth it, and the reason why is obvious,” by Hillary Hoffower, businessinsider.com, April 11, 2019. “College grads still earn more than workers with no university degree. This map shows the states with the widest salary gaps,” by Allana Akhtar and Andy Kiersz, businessinsider.com, July 15, 2019. “20 jobs you can get with a high school diploma,” by CareerBuilder, careerbuilder.com, June 23, 2017. What is the rate of unemployment for high school graduates compared to bachelor's degree holders quizlet?- Individuals with a high school diploma have an unemployment rate about 2 percent higher than individuals with a bachelor's degree do.
Why do college graduates earn more in wages than workers with only a high school diploma quizlet?While luck, risk-taking, and networking contribute to income inequality, most economists believe that the main reason college graduates earn more than high school graduates is that they gain skills and knowledge in college that increase their productivity.
How much more money can a college graduate expect to make compared to a high school graduate quizlet?Graduating from college can boost your income by 60% compared to high school graduates. An average high school graduate without a college degree works for 40 years and earns $35,000 / year.
What percentage of college students are considered to be nontraditional?In fact, estimates suggest that 40% of the current undergraduate population at American colleges and universities are non-traditional (CLASP, 2015).
|