Is College Worth It Essay Sample

Discussing the topic of whether to go to college is very controversial. Many people comply with it, some totally against it, and others fall into more of a middle ground gray area. With the increasingly high expenses and the incredibly huge risk of student loans, many parents and potential students are asking “Is it worth it?” And although these factors may seem intimidating, they do not overshadow the many benefits of attending college. Those benefits are intangible, immeasurable, and irreplaceable. College gives you experience that not only teaches you more about the world but about yourself. It prepares you for life, gives you knowledge and skills that can be used in the workplace, and aids in personal growth intellectually.   

To survive and thrive in our world today, in most cases as adults, one must have a job. It is essential. One of the most commonly thought of benefits of going to college is obtaining information and experience to go into their career of choice. In addition, the higher amount of education you gain will equal a higher amount of money earned. Our society rewards those who put work into their education. This also means that the unemployment rate for college graduates is much lower compared to those who did not attend college. However, college values go far beyond a degree. Whether your goal is to achieve an associate degree or doctoral the values will still be there. A story about a woman named Jane Knecht was included in an essay, titled “College’s values goes deeper than the degree” by Eric Hoover. In the essay, Vanessa shared her personal experience of what college had done for her in her life. She talked about how going into college she had little to no confidence. However, “As Ms. Knecht practiced public speaking and wrote a mountain of papers, her self-confidence soared” (Hoover). This led to her getting more involved, making relationships, and learning how to deal and interact with different people. “My classes helped me recognize the importance of listening and effective negotiating, and how to go into new situations which I do all the time,” Ms. Knecht stated (Hoover). She will be able to take these important life skills she gained through college classes with her wherever she goes.  

There is another reason a college education might be worthwhile, even without the evident financial advantages a degree offers. College graduates live increasingly different lives than those without a college degree (Cox). College gives you irreplaceable experiences that prepare you for life in many ways. For example, people that attend college are more socially connected, civically engaged, and active in their communities than those without a degree (Dotinga). Most college classes for students to get out of their comfort zones, which in the beginning pays off in the end. Creating more confident, sociable, and iterative students. These qualities pay off not only in the workplace but in all aspects of life. Having more active and educated members involved in our community is always positive and will provide a better living environment for everyone.   

As we get older, we are often told that we must know what we want to do with our lives. We are expected to know who we are as an individual. This in many cases is a perplexing task. When students leave high school, they are sent off to take on the world as “adults,” but in most cases, they are still unsure of what they want to do with their lives. This is where the college experience comes in aid. Another story that was shared in Eric Hoover's essay was one of a woman named Vanessa Mera. She went to college at the University of Miami and shared her thoughts and opinions. She stated that “In college, you come in thinking one thing about yourself, and you leave thinking in a completely different way” (Hoover). Here she was referring to her beliefs that good grades were going to take you where you wanted to go, but she later found out that she cannot go anywhere without confidence. However, this can relate to many other situations as well. College is where we grow and flourish as individuals. We learn new things about ourselves and gain confidence and security. Today, college graduates have more close friends, are more likely to be married, and are less likely to feel lonely than those without higher education (Cox). College is where we develop social skills to prepare and succeed in our lives.  

Despite the many advantages of attending college, the main argument opposed to it is the extreme financial cost not being justified. I think we can all agree that tuition prices are skyrocketing out of control and getting astronomically high. And with these extremely unreasonable prices, it is understandable why parents and potential students want to weigh the benefits of a college education more thoroughly. So, it comes down to one simple question: Is a college degree worth it? My answer is yes college is 100% worth the cost. The benefits of college are more often seen long-term than immediately. So, although pricing may be high and it seems like an overwhelming investment, what you gain in return makes it all worth it. By going to college, you will get paid more, have more opportunities, make connections, gain irreplaceable experiences, and become a better person overall (Cox). Despite concerns about rising student debt, the economic value of a college education is clear.  

The overall importance and benefits of college is a debate that has been going on for years. Despite compelling evidence, scholars, public policy professionals, and legislators continue to debate the personal and societal benefits of higher education policy, with many of whom doubt the long-term value. In the end, the true value shines through. In college, we gain experience that we will take with us for the rest of our adult lives. Along with the obvious reason of earning more money, attending college has many other benefits such as: getting out of our shell, developing a more extensive network of acquaintances, exploring other career options, and just living a better, healthier life (Cox). The lifetime earnings benefit that a college degree bestows on graduates is difficult to discount.