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The Value of Higher EducationAs college costs continue to creep higher, some people have called into question the value of higher education. Is it really worth it to spend years working towards a degree when that same time could be spent earning money? It's an interesting question, but the statistics make it clear: over time, higher education is well worth the investment. For instance, take these numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau (1998 data):
Workers with an Associate's Degree earned nearly 25% more than those with just a high school diploma; that may not sound like much for one year -- but over just ten years, that's another $80,000! A Bachelor's Degree holder will typically earn $600,000 more than a high-school educated worker over his/her lifetime. And professional degree earners (MBAs, PhDs, JDs, MDs, etc.) will earn even more! And don't forget the perceived value of higher education -- most employers, when choosing between a degree-holder and a high-school graduate, will usually choose the college graduate without hesitation. If you didn't graduate from high school, consider earning your high school diploma online for a possible 41 percent difference in income. Beyond money there are less tangible, but equally important, benefits for people with higher-education degrees. As the world and technology change rapidly, more jobs require education beyond high school and, with a college education, you'll be better prepared for a changing work environment. Whereas, fifty years ago, many workers expected to be in the same career for most of their lives, workers today will face multiple careers in the years ahead -- some that don't even exist yet! (Think of today's web designers and where they were 10 years ago.) Odds are also good that higher education will expose you to people, ideas, and topics that you would never encounter in a high-school setting. You can't put a price-tag on personal growth. There's no denying that higher education can be expensive, but the payoff -- both monetary and otherwise -- is well worth it. Take the plunge and make the most of your educational experience, and your career! Additional resources:
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