Is a College Degree Worth the Cost?

The expense of attending college has increased dramatically since your parents were in school. Over the past decade, expenses increased by over 25%. Now, most college graduates leave school with significant amounts of student loan debt. For many, this is unavoidable as working in your dream company often requires a degree in a particular field. 

It’s no secret that college tuition is skyrocketing, making it harder and harder to justify the cost of attending a university or college. Yet, there are several reasons why college may be worth the price.

Here are just 10 of them, including tips on keeping your costs low while still getting a top-notch education!

How is a College Degree Worth the Cost?

1. Studies show you earn over $500,000 more with a degree.

You must earn to make a living. Wouldn’t it be better if you earned more? Getting a degree helps you achieve that. Over a lifetime, individuals who have earned their degree make more than $500,000 on average. Even if you have the skills necessary for the job, a degree adds credibility. And some jobs require you have a degree to get hired. Thus, getting a degree helps you build your wealth a lot earlier.

2. It opens doors to better jobs.

Around 65% of jobs need a college degree. Imagine you want to work in your dream company. But it requires a degree in a particular field. There are rarely ways to get around this requirement. So, in this case, your degree provides you with opportunities to achieve your dreams. These jobs would be inaccessible for you if not for a degree.

3. Affordable options are out there.

Many prospective students worry about expenses. Here are some cost-cutting suggestions:

• Apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships available for need, demographic, achievement, and more. With those funds, you can pay for tuition, books, and more.
• Borrow books. There are many rental services online and at university bookstores that allow you to get books for cheaper. Also, you may also be able to borrow them from a library or another student.
• Look for lower-cost alternatives and efficiently use your resources. Budgeting is a necessity for many college students. Plan for what you’ll need each month and semester.
• Consider your options carefully. Research multiple schools, look at their tuition and fees, and compare it to what is affordable for you. In addition, some colleges will charge less if you’re a resident of the state they’re located in. Also, online schools can save you in fees for commuting or boarding.

4. The value outweighs the debt.

Any time you spend more than you earn, it will cost you more to repay the debt with interest. Debt is becoming an inevitable part of our lives. From cellphones to cars to homes. So, why not take the loan that will provide you with an education. With planning, you can minimize your loan and maximize the returns. A result, you will get to unlock the opportunities that’ll help you achieve your dreams. And, at the same time, earn money.

5. You gain valuable skills and experience.

In college, you will develop valuable skills like communication, problem-solving, and time management. These will help you later in your career. In every class, you gain real-life experience from the problems presented to you, from readings and assignments, and through the people you meet. While in college, you have the time to make mistakes, learn from them, and resolve them before stepping into a job.

6. You make friends.

College helps you become more open-minded and find a new approach to life. In your university, you will meet many new people who have various perspectives and opinions. You will communicate with them and learn from them. You may even make friends. Additionally, peer learning is the most effective form of learning. Using the unique perspectives of your classmates, you will find new solutions to problems and ways to understand new content. 

With support and guidance from your peers, you can increase your academic performance. You become more independent with the friends you make in university.

7. You build discipline.

In university, you’ll be in an accountable environment. It fosters timeliness and emphasizes self-discipline. You must show up to your classes. You learn time management practically. With every assignment, you’ll learn to meet deadlines. Effort is a requirement for success. If you do poorly on an assignment, you’ll need to learn new methods to study or write essays to improve your grades. You’ll learn to be efficient and effective. Overall, college prepares you for the workforce by teaching you self-discipline and accountability.

8. Success in the classroom helps prepare you for success in the real world.

This generation of students is well-positioned to succeed, so don’t let doubts about academic success stop you from earning a degree. Information and study tools are more accessible. In addition, online tutors offer their expertise in every subject and at more accessible times. Further, succeeding in the classroom boosts self-confidence. Students also find paths to success that translate to other parts of life and learn how to approach new ideas. With better opportunities and improved technology, students have a high rate of success academically.

9. College allows you to network while you learn.

While pursuing your degree, you can volunteer, build social networks, and do other activities on campus that lead to good jobs later. You can build your network with students and instructors in your field of study. You can share ideas and grow together. There will be many on-campus opportunities that will help in your career. Additionally, many colleges have online groups that allow you to network with both current students and past graduates.

10. You learn to grow.

Going to college opens you up to new opportunities. You gain expertise and guidance that will be helpful for your bright future. You may find a passion you weren’t aware you had. Or you may find that you excel in an unexpected field. Truly, students learn just as much about themselves and their interests as they do in their courses. As you learn about new opportunities, you may find yourself on the path to an even bigger or better dream. Thus, when it comes down to it, getting a college degree seems like a wise decision.