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| Yes | 48% | 110 votes | Total: 230 votes | |
| No | 52% | 120 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesDespite college educations being more expensive than ever, and despite job prospects for college graduates being dimmer than ever, a college education still pays off in the long run. Like any investment, its true rewards can only be gleaned through wise choices and the passage of time.
Especially in today's troubled economy, there are certainly plenty of reasons to consider college a waste of money. Just a few years ago, college grads could console their indebted selves with well-paying jobs in their chosen field. To employers, a degree actually meant something; it made the applicant stand up and be counted.
However, as colleges began producing record numbers of graduates, and as the overall employment outlook has become downright dismal, there is an understandable lack of proportion between open jobs and eager employees. As a result, many college graduates can't find meaningful employment, and notice little difference between themselves and high school grads.
Moreover, the amount of money and sometimes time that students must now pour into college has grown tremendously in the past few years. Very few parents have an extra ten thousand dollars each year to fund their child's college career, so many students are forced to take out loans to cover costs.
After four years of hard work and a hardscrabble existence, college graduates should indeed expect a substantial return on their investment.
While not the blue-chip it once was, a college degree is nonetheless essential for getting ahead in modern life. Once the bastion of those who didn't desire college but did desire a big paycheck, entrepreneurship has failed many in the current recession. Starting a small business is tougher than ever, and has always been a high-risk venture. Even steady blue-collar professions now require some sort of two-year degree or certification, so higher education can't be avoided for those who want to experience life above the poverty line.
Most importantly, a four-year degree opens the door to an advanced degree, which is still the surest bet regarding a good job. In addition, the actual experience of college can help tremendously in making money over time. Campuses provide a place to network, gain internships, and make contacts that would otherwise never come to fruition. If students really make the most of it, college can provide a wealth of opportunity regarding work experience and career exploration.
College is definitely not the golden ticket it once was, but it is still one of the few ways young people can cultivate a solid start to success.
Learn more about this author, Robyn Keyster.
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No
Is a college education still cost effective? In my opinion I would have to say no. The cost of getting a college education is to overly priced. Learning should not have to cost so much that you go into debt or have to get loans.
College classes are expensive. For a young adult it can be stressful and very hard to figure out how to pay all these expenses. Their is the classes themselves they have to pay for, books, dorm rooms, food, computers, and even for transportation.
It cost on average about $200 for one book. If a student were to take college full time that would be four or five classes a day. Books alone would cost them about a thousand dollars.
College's charge a certain amount for classes to people who live in the district. Even more for people in the state and even more than that for people who are going to the school from outside of the state.
Dorm rooms can be very expensive as well. Some dorms cost one flat out rate, others have to be paid for each month like paying rent. With dorm rooms there are other costly necessities. With this in mind think of furniture costs, laundry costs, electric costs (if not paid for in the rent or fee for dorm room), internet and the cable costs. There is even the small necessity items to think about bedding, soap, shampoo, cleaning supplies, storage, phones, computers, and the school supplies (paper, pens, notebooks, binders etc)
Transportation can become a big hastle. The student or the student's family may have to buy them a new or used car to get around. Then there is gas prices which are not cheap. Along with a car you will have to think about parking. Do you have a free place to park or will you have to pay a charge to park your car? Then you could think about a bus or a train. Some colleges have bus passes available for free. The otheOthers you have to buy a pass or pay every individual time you get a ride. The last option is either walking or buying a bike. The bike will also need a place for storage which could cost as well.
Then there is food. Fast food is often the choice for young adults that are away at school. It is simple and fast but also is costly eating out every night. The college student will probably want to have some snacks to keep in their dorm room. Snacks require storage and maybe even a small refrigerator. For eating in the dorm it may be a good idea to buy a few cups, some plates, and some silverwear. The last option for food is the cafe or vending machines. One good thing about the cafe is colleges usually give students a discount.
Learn more about this author, T3iffany.
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