Although many people consider the concept of going to college as the unthinkable way, is it always the best option for everyone? To many, college sounds like a shiny idea, but when broken down into the pros and cons, are the benefits certainly worth the sacrifices? Once the expenses and loans get factored in, for some people the cons may start to outweigh the positive experiences young adults encounter in college. Often times, other alternatives get skipped over while people are racing to apply to various universities. It truly would not be the end of the world to either spend two years at a community college before committing to a university, go for a two-year degree, or consider the opportunity costs of even going to college at all.

Costs, Loans, and The Things College Students Don’t Want to Think About

College is expensive, everyone knows that. What many people do not realize is just how expensive it can be. The average in-state costs of tuition at universities in the U.S. is currently $9,716. This may seem doable at first, but all of the housing, fees, books, dining, and other expenses are not included in that number. The average total cost of four-year universities for in-state students from 2015-2016 was roughly $26,000 a year. Many people see the $9,716 without registering the fact that it will turn into $26,000. In their article “Should Everyone Go to College?” Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill explain that tuitions are rising faster than family incomes, which is causing many students to be more financially responsible and more dependent on loans. Owen and Isabel state that the total federal student loans are about $1 trillion. Not only does their article concern student loans, it also concerns the rate of return on education, which is not what people expect. Owen and Sawhill share that each additional year of schooling adds about 10% onto one’s salary, but after factoring in the costs of the education, the returns are not always as high as many hope. Costs, loans, and future salaries are not the only things to think about; opportunity cost should be considered as well. Opportunity cost is the money students could be earning instead of attending additional school. The writers include that the average opportunity cost for 18-21 year olds that go to a four-year school is about $54,000.

College: The Best Time of Your Life

While some people are concerned with the expenses that come along with additional schooling, others claim that the life experiences that one gains from college are well worth the costs. Throughout “The Importance of a College Experience in Life,” an article written by Elon University’s “The Pendulum Online,” many reasons why college is important are shared. The article states that college is a transitional period that is full of growth and learning. It is a time that teenagers develop into adults. College both prepares students for a career and brings forth real-life situations that help the young adults learn more about themselves. The article stresses that this principal period of time allows students to begin to make their own decisions while gaining an understanding of how to live on their own. “The Importance of a College Experience in Life” claims that college provides life lessons through living in the residence halls. Students are surrounded by other people with all types of beliefs, backgrounds, and lifestyles. This gives young adults the chance to build a tolerance and understanding for others, which is key in the real-world. The article also emphasizes the opportunities college brings to young adults. Jobs, clubs, internships, athletics, study abroad programs, fraternities, and volunteer opportunities are all occasions made available to students simply by attending college. Along with new opportunities, college brings forth new friends and connections that can be utilized later on in life. Clearly an education is not the only thing one receives from going to college.

Community College Then University?

It is common for high school upperclassmen to look forward to searching for a large university with an impressive athletics program, a beautiful campus, and opportunities to bond with a few of their old friends while making new friends at the same time. Because of this, many high schoolers bypass the idea of spending two years at a community college before heading to a university. Owen and Sawhill, the writers of “Should Everyone Go to College?” explain that many kids are going to college, yet the graduation rates are remaining low. There are many reasons as to why the graduation rates are low, however a common reason for the recurrent dropouts and delays is financial stress. Owen and Sawhill share that fewer than 60% of students who enter four-year schools graduate within six years, and the rate for low-income students is even less. Community college costs far less than universities, making it financially wise to consider both options. Not only is attending a university more expensive, but it can be challenging and scary to jump right into lecture halls consisting of 400+ people when a student is fresh out of high school. It would be academically wise to begin college on a smaller scale in order to confirm that additional schooling is the best option before wasting extensive amounts of money at a university just to decide that college might not be the optimal decision.

Can A 2-Year Degree Really Be Better Than A 4-Year?

A common misconception is that either you complete at least four years of schooling after high school, or you stop your schooling altogether after high school. Liz Addison’s “Two Years Are Better Than Four,” implies that contrary to popular belief, more schooling will not always benefit a person. Some jobs only require two years of additional schooling, and in some cases, completing the minimum schooling required for a certain job and then heading straight into the workforce can be beneficial. Someone can benefit financially from paying for just the two years of additional schooling necessary rather than an expensive four years of college that are not all required. One can also benefit from stopping after earning a bachelor’s degree because they are giving themselves more time at their job, making it possible to move up to higher positions more quickly than others. The article “Should Everyone Go To College” shares that depending on the occupation, the lifetime earnings of certain graduates with professional degrees are less than those with bachelor’s degrees or only high school diplomas. 17% of people with a bachelor’s degree earn more than those with a four-year degree. There are multiple reasons for this staggering fact. Regardless of how much schooling one completes, the STEM majors are some of the highest paid majors, while education majors are some of the lowest paid majors. This being said, a person working in the STEM fields who completed two years of college or less will likely earn more than a worker in the education services who completed four years or more of college. Along with that, some majors experience more unemployment than others – such as architecture and art – resulting in skewed data.

It is apparent that there are many pros and cons of attending college, and there are more options than just four-year institutions. Owen and Sawhill stated very clearly that college is not a ticket that can be cashed in for guaranteed success and wealth. Instead, it is a stepping stone and a factor for young adults to review before starting the rest of their lives. Young people should carefully consider their path before wasting vast amounts of money.

Sources

Owen, Stephanie, and Isabel Sawhill. “Should Everyone Go to College?” They Say/ I Say with Readings, edited by Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst, W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2018, pp. 318-335.

Addison, Liz. “Two Years Are Better Than Four.” They Say/ I Say with Readings, edited by Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst, W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2018, pp. 365-368.

Paquette, Danielle. “Why College Isn’t Always Worth It.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 30 Jan. 2015, www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/01/30/college-is-worth-it-if-you-graduate-on-time/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6ba27e142a55.

The Pendulum Online. “The Importance of a College Experience in Life.” The Importance of a College Experience in Life, Elon University, www.elon.edu/e-web/pendulum/Issues/2006/10_26/opinions/editorial.xhtml.

“What You Need to Know About College Tuition Costs.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-college-tuition-costs.

“The NCES Fast Facts Tool Provides Quick Answers to Many Education Questions (National Center for Education Statistics).” National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, a Part of the U.S. Department of Education, nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=76.