Benefits of Having College Education

Introduction: A college education gives people the opportunity to lead themselves down any path that they wish in life. It is a time that students can truly set out of their own. They have the opportunity to become more independent and to take on new responsibilities. The bonuses of a college education include self-actualization, a greater pool of skills, and greater economic stability.

Background: While going to college is a huge commitment to your assets, time, and energy, many studies have concluded that show the benefits of seeking higher education far outweigh the costs. For a successful career, every student needs knowledge, confidence, academic and technicals skills, and social skills. To get these skills, often times a college education is important, as it provides all of these things and more. The importance of college education can in part be seen by its obvious role in people’s lives. But before that, what’s really important to most people is knowing, well before they join a college, what will the end result be?

Most people are unsure of this, and as such, combined with both tuition fees getting higher, and student loans putting a heavier toll on future Masters and Doctors, more and more people choose to seek full-time job opportunities after high school without enrolling into college. Thesis statement: However, despite this, it is imperative to seek out a college education. Because in the future you will not only be able to pay off the costs but also earn 30% more money than those who head straight into the labor market straight after high school. In addition, the range of career paths is far larger, than without.

A college education can open many doors in a person's search for a career. Evidence & citing: People that have attained a college degree are hired at higher pay and are considered to be much more employable. This means that a college graduate would be more likely to be offered employment than another who did not attend college or did not attain a degree. The unemployment rate for a person with less than a high school diploma is more than three times that of a person with a college degree.

Topic sentence: College will also assist in preparing a person for a career in a particular field. Evidence & citing: In a vast majority of highly specialized jobs, if one does not have a college degree, there is little to no possibility of securing a career in that chosen field. College will give a person the tools to succeed in the field of their choice. These tools would not be available to most people who do not attend college.

Topic sentence: Another aspect that should be considered is the fact that people with a college degree will earn significantly more over their lifetime over someone who does not have a degree as shown by the graph above. As a person's level of education increases, so does their income level. For example: In Massachusetts, the average income for a high school graduate is $46,523. A person who has a bachelor's degree has an average income of $81,026. For persons with a master's degree, the average income increases to $96,519. Evidence & citing: Further backing up these findings, as pointed out by Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill in their research studies titled, “Should Everyone Go To College?”, going to college has a financial benefit that makes your time (and mental) sacrifices worth the commitment. According to their research, college graduates earn over $570,000 more in a lifetime with a four-year degree when compared to those that only achieved a high-school diploma. The financial benefits can be even greater for college graduates when you factor in the type of degree, the field of specialization, and the number of scholarships and grants you receive.As one can see, there is a substantial increase in the average income

Topic sentence: Even if you don’t want to go to college regularly, it is possible to pursue your bachelor’s degree via distance learning. Many universities provide distance learning programs and courses that you can do from home. Today with the help of technology you can get admission to online degree programs.

Topic sentence: Unlike high-school, college requires you to be solely responsible for maintaining your class schedule and completing coursework. Learning to manage your time effectively is an important step that makes life after college much easier. Many books already validate the benefits of creating and maintaining solid routines early in life so that you can keep yourself on the right track towards educational and career success.

Bibliography

1. “Unemployment Rates and Earnings by Educational Attainment.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4 Sept. 2019
2. “Unemployment Rate 2.1 Percent for College Grads, 4.3 Percent for High School Grads in April 2018.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 May 2018
3. “Earnings.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22 Nov. 2019
4. Owen, Stephanie, and Isabel V. Sawhill. “Should Everyone Go To College?” Brookings, Brookings, 28 July 2016