Thesis Statement Example: Education Is the Pathway to Success

Subtopic 1: Benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree

Universities can generate more opportunities for becoming more successful in the workplace and growing personally.  In the Preface to his book, Michael S. Roth discusses some benefits of traditional higher education, countering the perspective that universities should concentrate on job training and arguing the merits of "pragmatic liberal education" (xiii).  Roth cites W.E.B. Du Bois who warned that economic factors alone should not be the drivers of education, as it would limit individuals' true potential (xiv). The economical status of students has effects upon education that students should take into consideration.  Roth points out that education based on learning multiple disciplines and frameworks makes workers more adaptable to changes in the economy, allowing them to be more effective leaders and protecting them from shifts that make more narrow training unnecessary (xiv). Hence,  Roth points out that education based on learning multiple disciplines and frameworks makes workers more adaptable to changes in the economy, allowing them to be more effective leaders and protecting them from shifts that make more narrow training unnecessary (xiv). Jane Addams sees education as creating a more just and connected society by making individuals more aware of their personal obligations to each other (qtd. in Roth xv). The major revelation for this study is that achieving a bachelor’s degree can be more beneficial in the future, to the work-life and personal growth of a student. 

Subtopic 2: Average Costs of College and Tuition 

The average costs of college can help recent high school graduates figure out which college is the best option. In Average Cost of College and Tuition by Melanie Hanson, it states that the average cost for a student in- state is around $26,000 for the first academic year (excluding books, dorm `fees, etc.). The cost of college is expensive. In the last 20 years, tuition rates have tripled in costs, meaning it has an annual increase at 6.8%. Students that are out- of- state however, pay about double the amount of tuition as compared to in- state students. Out- of- state students pay around $44,000 for their first academic year. As stated before, that's a little less than double the amount in- state students pay. So, when students finally graduate from university, in- state students end up paying around $103,000 for their degree, as compared to out- of- state students, who pay roughly $175,000. To conclude, students that decide to complete the higher education out-of-state, will have to pay more for the education, compared to completing it in-state.

Subtopic 3: Paying For College

Students that are planning to enroll into higher education are given options for paying college tuition. In How to Pay for College Tuition by Melanie Hanson, it states that the total amount of public and private financial aid available is enough to pay for college for every full-time student. There are different ways to pay for college, the first option is to fill out federal student aid form. Hanson stated that 84% of students that have applied for student aid, receive some form of financial aid. Another way that an undergraduate can pay for college, is through a private loan. Things to look out for when searching for lenders, is to make sure the interest rates are low. The second thing that a student should look out for when searching for a lender is, to make sure it comes with a protection plan, and repayment plan. Students that have family members that have served in the military, are also given aid for their student loans. Hanson states that children of Iraq and Afghanistan service vets who died in combat after September 11, 2001, qualify for multiple additional educational benefits. Overall, there are many options to lower and complete payments towards college tuition. 

Subtopic 4: Managing Student Loans

Students that are using student loans, must know how to manage them after completing the higher education. In the article, Smart Ways to Manage Your Student Loans, by Kaitlin Pitsker, reports on various forms of student loan repayment plans that help recent college graduates with paying off student loans. Pitsker points out that consolidating interest rates will be able to save a great amount of money over a long-time span. According to the article, Perkins loans are low interest and help low-income students manage payments. Those who work in certain fields like AmeriCorps or Peace Corps could qualify for loan cancellation (41). Students get repayment plan options that can be affordable for them. In this article, Pitsker explains the possibility of loan forgiveness. Loan forgiveness is for government workers who are eligible. To be eligible, individuals must be tax-exempt, full time, and be employed by the government (i.e.. nurses, social workers, police officers, etc.) Although loan forgiveness is a possibility, Pitsker warns not to rely on it. The loan forgiveness movement is new, and its future is uncertain. Pitsker explains that government workers should keep it as an idea for the future, but not something to set in stone.   This information is very helpful to recent high school graduates because it explains to them that there are alternatives to being in debt for 30 years out of college, and that paying back that debt can go multiple ways besides the traditional method.

Subtopic 5: College Dropout Rates

Students that plan on completing a higher education should be motivated and prepared for the challenges that are to come. According to College Dropout Rates, by Melanie Hanson, the overall dropout rate for undergraduate college students is 40%. Freshman students are college are more likely to drop-out of college, compared to a junior or senior in college. Hanson states that, 30% of the dropout rate comes from college freshman dropping out before their sophomore year. Undergraduates that are apart of the workforce can make less than a student that has a degree from a college. Hanson shows that college dropouts earn, on average, $21,000 less per year than their college graduate counterparts. There are many reasons why students tend to drop out. The first reason could be that the student is unprepared for the college level academics. Another reason could be students that are failing their classes due to being behind when it comes to turning in work, drop-out because of no support to catch up on the late work. Students that attend college to meet the expectations from others, tends to drop-out. Overall students must be certain on if college is the best option, to succeed in the future. 

Subtopic 6: Alternatives to taking the college path

Higher education is not the only pathway a recent high school graduate has to follow, there are alternate pathways that could be more beneficial for the student’s future. In Pathways to Prosperity by William C. Symonds, states that 14 million job openings nearly half of those that will be filled by workers with post-secondary education will go to people with an associate degree or occupational certificate. Students that know which occupation is best for them in the future, tend to choose secondary-school, or even complete a certification. There are many jobs that only require students to have an associates degree or post-secondary education/certification. Symonds states that Many of these will be in “middle skill” occupations such as electrician, and construction manager, dental hygienist, paralegal and police officer. Students that have completed a specific type of post-secondary education, tend to make more in the workforce, compared to a student with a bachelor’s degree. Studies from Symonds book show that 7 percent of people with post-secondary licenses or certificates credentials short of an associate degree earn more than the average bachelor’s degree recipient. Overall completing a secondary-education, can be more time-sensitive and affordable for students that do not believe college is the right choice for them. 

Conclusion:

The recent high school graduate is aware of the costs of college, ways to pay for college, the benefits of college, and the completion rate of higher education. 

Works Cited

AuthorLastName, FirstName. Title of the Book Being Referenced. City Name: Name of Publisher, Year. Type of Medium (e.g., Print).

LastName, First, Middle. “Article Title.” Journal Title (Year): Pages From - To. Print.

Symonds, W. C., Schwartz, R., & Ferguson, R. F. (1970, January 1). Pathways to prosperity: Meeting the challenge of preparing young Americans for the 21st Century. DASH Home. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from http://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/4740480.

Hanson, M. (2021, August 9). How do people pay for college? How Do People Pay for College. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://educationdata.org/how-do-people-pay-for-college.

Hanson, M. (2021, September 14). College dropout rates. EducationData. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://educationdata.org/college-dropout-rates/.

Hanson, M. (2021, August 15). Average cost of college & tuition. EducationData. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college/.