College and Career Preparation

College and Career Preparation: Is College Worth It?

It is a sad testimony to the degree to which college education has grown so expensive that many people focus on the economic worth of a college degree alone. Because college tuition is skyrocketing and graduates are worried about the level of debt they will shoulder throughout their lives, they are understandably concerned that the expense of their degree will not justify the time, stress, and money they have invested into it (Hoffower, 2019). But it is also true that there are aspects of a college education that cannot be quantified.

As we live in a participatory form of government, and elect our representatives, it is essential that citizens are able to critically evaluate news stories and evidence. Having empathy for the plight of other people, as conveyed by studies in the humanities and social sciences, is also useful. Although it is possible to be a good voter and not go to college, the skills learned in college can as a whole improve society. This is why it is so tragic that more and more students are opting out of going to college because of cost concerns (Dickler, 2021).

College can also be a route to a more fulfilling as well as a more lucrative profession. Certain professions such as social work, education, and being a librarian might not necessarily result in more money than working in a trade like being a plumber or an electrician. But they may a valuable contribution to society. People may find the subject matter fulfilling, and the professional experience enriching.

Finally, the college experience can expose an individual to a greater social array of persons than they might otherwise encounter in their daily lives. Diversity can broaden the mind and the perspective of an individual and increase tolerance and greater social cohesion. College can also expose people to new hobbies and interests that might not necessarily be financially valuable in a quantitative sense, but can bring a sense of joy and fulfillment. Ultimately, although money is certainly important to facilitating happiness, a life that is thoughtful and enriched is more worth living.