Is college worth the money?

Question

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

It very much depends on your course of study. Medical and STEM degrees are almost always worth the money. Many, if not most of the others, are not. They might be personally gratifying, but they aren't likely to be financially advantageous.

For the last couple of decades, there's been a bubble where companies have wanted college degrees for everything, and it didn't matter what that degree was in, just that you had one. It turns out, that didn't go over very well at all. Lots of people had very high-paying positions in companies where they actually brought very little value to the company, and in some cases brought negative value. Though he wasn't the first to recognize this and take action, Elon Musk's firing 70% of Twitter's staff with no significant impact to Twitter was the proof that a huge number of companies needed to change their own policies, and to downsize their staffs. It turned out that a lot of the people who stuck around in the IT world weren't even college graduates - they were simply people who were very good at their jobs and who were very productive.

This has led many companies to the realization that a college degree is far from a guarantee that someone will be a good and productive worker, and companies are now focusing on what you can do for them, and less on your paper qualifications. I expect this to continue to spread as it has been for the last couple of years.

That said, a degree IS necessary for many fields, because those degrees cover specialized knowledge that you just aren't likely to get anywhere else. Few people are going to learn medical information like you would in Med School (which is essentially a graduate school - you need a 4-year pre-med degree first). Engineers and scientists and finance people will continue to need degrees. These are rigorous programs that teach specialized knowledge at a high level, so those degrees continue to mean something.

There are also SOME humanities degrees that can be worthwhile, but in most cases, they need to have some level of commercial focus. If you're learning art, or photography, or computer graphics, you probably need to learn skills that are likely to get you a paying commercial job in a related field, and not just things that are entertaining to you as an individual.

Traditionally, music schools and art schools and similar schools were attended either by students from wealthy families who could afford the tuition, or by students who were identified as being VERY talented and could secure scholarships. Middle-class kids couldn't go to those schools just to get an "easy" degree in something. What changed all this was Federal Student Loans, which provided nearly unlimited money to colleges by providing debt-based funding to students regardless of their level of talent and achievement and regardless of how well they performed in school. This led colleges to massively expand and to lower requirements to accommodate much lower average levels of achievement - though this was far more true of liberal arts and much less true of medicine and STEM. This produced huge increases in liberal arts degrees, along with huge amounts of student debt.

But the bubble has burst, and this is (in my opinion) no longer a viable path forward for most.

And not going to college doesn't necessarily mean the only alternative is hard physical labor. Countless very successful businesses have been founded by non-college graduates.

msc545 · Accepted Answer

A college degree adds an extra 1 million $ on average to your ;lifetime income.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

Some people say that college is about taking tests and not about learning new things and my response is, did they try to learn new things when they were in college? I got a lot out of my degree cause I tried to learn new skills while I was there and I tried to internalize all the lessons I had been given at school. But if somebody does not try to learn, does not try to become better, does not appreciate their professors and classmates, they might not get the same benefits. Of course, some have good intentions but they go to a place that is underfunded and poorly served to the masses so not learning could be somebody else's felt and not necessarily their own.

Jessica405 · Accepted Answer

Depends on what you want in the way of a job. My father always said never stop learning. Go as far as you can. Once you have that degree or diploma, no one can take it from you. I think it is well worth it. It was for me and my guy.

PS... Are you the WOWGIRL that used to be here? The girl with amazing artistic talent? If so, really good to see you back.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

Determining if college is worth the money depends on individual goals and circumstances. Many people find that a college education can open doors to career advancement and higher earning potential. However, alternatives like vocational training, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce immediately can also offer valuable opportunities without the financial burden of student loans. Consider factors such as your career aspirations, financial situation, and industry needs. Balancing passion and pragmatism often leads to the best decision.

1

Fireguy17 · Answer

Yes and no.
A lot depends on what you will major in.
Dry grass basket weaving, probably not so much.
Music, teaching, health related, business things that are actually something that will help you in the future then yes, if you stay in that field.
In my class over half that went on to college did not stay in their chosen field for more than a few years. They hated it.
I went to a tech school, and I developed skills that I have used for most of my life.
If a skilled trade is something that you are leaning towards, then many places will hire you and send you to school to advance your knowledge as long as you work there for a number of years and you have no long-term college debt to pay off.
Some people just like going to learn about certain things, which is also pretty cool.
Your money, your call.
If 34 is your correct age as your profile states then by now you should be pretty settled, and know what you want, or are planning a career change. So you have a better handle on what you want out of life at this age vs when we were young and dumb and didn't have much of a clue even though we thought we knew everything.

Massageman · Answer

If you are pursuing a profession that requires a degree or two or three, then college is a requirement, obviously. There are crafts and trades that don't require a college/university degree, but they do require several years of trade-specific training in electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, etc. I have a Bachelor in Graphic Arts and Design, an MBA, a cert in Computer Programming (back from the dark ages of FORTRAN and COBOL), and now the equivalent of Bachelor Degree level work in Massage Therapy.

Whether or not a degree or specific training is related to prior/subsequent learning, I have found that ALL my learning/training experiences somehow managed to weave themselves into each other. While my MBA did not land me as a corporate CEO, I DO use my accounting knowledge to self-manage my massage business and my wife's counseling business. My Graphics' knowledge allows me to design signage for our church and many other craft pieces. I am the third generation of Graphic Artist-trained individuals in my family and my kids and grandkids are falling into the skills as well, so that's five generations and running for Graphic Arts.

Whether college/university study per se is worth the money will depend on your ultimate goals in like. Note: When I returned for my MBA- 20 years after my BS- I paid over $1,000 per (3 hour) course. For my BS, tuition was about $900 per term!!! How time - any money- flies!

Anonymous · Answer

Most of the people that told me they aren't going to college and they are going into trades usually tell they regret it. They have work around deadly chemicals and have their lung collaspe on them. A guy I know boss made him work heavy and fast and now he has a bad back and had to leave his job to work in a fast food joint because he couldn't perform his job anymore. He has to live the rest of his life in pain because surgery wasn't successful on his back. Some of them realized those high salaries they saw online you need 10 years of experience or your own business to make.

As for me I work in cybersecurity making a good income and I am not worried about getting hurt on the job. I had a lot of internships in college. If you go to college and you don't do any internships and just do the class work and nothing else outside the classroom then yes it will be a waste of time. You don't get a degree and expect a job everyone has just a degree. You need to do research projects, engage in hackatons, internships, etc.

The professor doesn't have enough time in a semster to teach you everything the rest is up to you. You need scarfice that chilling or hanging out with frineds to work on your career.

EzOwlz · Answer

My honest opinion, college can be worth it but it depends on the degree you choose and the nature of the field your trying to enter. For example, if you want to be a lawyer you'll 100% need to go to Law school you can't self teach yourself on crucial and volatile content such as Law or Medicine.

If you were do pursue a career in the IT/Stem field then it becomes possible to self teach yourself skills through online courses. Nowheredays online education / training has become widely recognised especially since the Pandemic so acquiring the necessary certification can allow you to learn the skills needed to perform In the career of your choice. In my case, my college provided me the necessary skills to become a data analyst, computer systems administrator, and a Java Web developer. Even so I'm still trying to learn more to strengthen my skillset and learn more skills and technologies.

At the end of the day, what matters most is your ability to adapt to the working landscape. In IT new technologies come and go, the curriculum I'm learning in my year will probably be reformed again for other years to adapt to current demands employers are looking for. Stay hungry and you'll be fine.

HawkPerception · Answer

Depends on the program, but I'd say it's about 50/50 these days. There are some programs that you need to be able to get specific jobs.

If you also don't want to worry about finding your own clients and don't have an entrepreneurial mindset (which is completely okay), then college is probably the better bet so companies are more willing to hire you.

But if you do have an entrepreneurial mindset and don't mind finding your own clients and want to pursue the fields of something like UX design, web design/development, digital marketing, graphic design, cyber security, e-commerce, etc. then all the information you need is on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy, etc.

Most of the knowledge you need to do most things are online for free nowadays.

ohsheeT · Answer

In some Fields yes it is it definitely is that piece of paper that says you graduated you have a degree yes it has a lot more zeros to that paycheck

But if you go to college you get that degree and then something else comes up and you start doing that well then that's up to the individual and they learn something so I don't know if it's worth all that money but still the experience and everything that goes with it that's up to the individual.

I see that you're back didn't you get a degree I mean I forget exactly what was going on but I thought you were going to go to some kind of school

worldscolide · Answer

It depends entirely on what you go for. But I most cases no.

For example. I went to college for 6 months. And realized a CS degree would be useless. Instead I hold over 50 industry standard certifications for what I do, some of which are why my salary is what it is. No degree required. It's 50 certs, and 24 years experience.

Finchie40 · Answer

Only if you have something lined up or set in stone , but otherwise it’s a waste of money, if you can’t land a decent paying job to help pay off
Your student loans and it can put you further in the hole. I know a a bunch of people that have college degrees and they are working jobs that barely pay them shit because they can’t land a job in the field they went to college for. Me personally thinks getting into a trade is the best way to go because their are a lot more job opportunities for a trade compared to college degrees

MisterWack · Answer

Yes if you stick to your interests & tastes.

- You’ll get a degree which can get you a job in the field you want to know more about and contribute towards while making decent wage to afford rent, put food on the table, and raise a family in the future.

- You’ll get a degree that showcases your love of education and the sciences also the arts allowing you to show how much you’ve grown and the progress you’ve made in recent years.

There are negatives like student loan debt, fear you want amount to anything, college can kill your ambition & stride & creativity, and you might not even achieve anything with your diploma also that diploma might not mean anything to you in the future depending on where you end up….

genericname85 · Answer

i mean let's face it: a lot of high paying job have a diploma requirement. so even if you got what it takes, they legally can't even hire you cause you don't have the degree. so if you want these types of job, then yes. but if you're fine without it, then you don't need it obviously. and yes people with degrees on average earn significantly higher. but then again a degree won't protect you from being a deadbeat loser. you still gotta work for it.

McLlovin · Answer

Only for a limited critical jobs like being a doctor or an engineer, and etc. you dont need a phd in communication. Think about the roman days, the ancient age. No one needed a degree people were just talented in the jobs they had and romans were pretty advanced. Sure they had education but it was for rich people and society still got by.

RSav4013 · Answer

It's going to depend on the person and the career path. Sadly, I see most people these days wasting their degrees. If a person is going to be a doctor or something, of course it's necessary. However, I think that all people out of High-school should get an entry level job in their field of choice and see if it's still something they want to do before spending a bunch of money on college.

Anonymous · Answer

Fuck I'm glad I'm not American. once again. Thank you for that.

Only Muricans would celebrate the rich firing the poor, down sizing their business - so less have work (&the rich safe money), only people I know that tell you this is good. Probably the same people who celebrated the same rich dude (Tisk, task, tusk - Musk? Can't remember don't care) moved is company to another state so he could exploit his workers more.

Sounds like you shouldn't go to college unless it's for being a doctor or a nurse - just train, do it well and everyone wants to hire you, no matter if you've a degree or not.

Take teacher of the street, your kids don't need teachers who knows shit. Let me be your mechanic, I can watch some YouTube videos and I'll become an expert. Or your electrician - reading a article or two is making me an expert too. As everyone thinks.

Graptemys79 · Answer

Some fields (sciences, education, medicine, nursing, social work, law, etc.) absolutely require college, and in some cases graduate training. Education is also not just about making money. Much of it has to do with life satisfaction, and the research shows that people with college degrees not only, on average, make one million dollars more than non-college educated people over a lifetime, but they tend to be healthier, happier, and more connected to family and friends and involved with their communities.

Den1971 · Answer

It could be but technical schools you can get paid just as much money a little bit of time but if it's just something that you want to do cuz you have your mind set on it that college is probably the best way but trade schools are you can make a lot of money

Beckybooboo · Answer

As someone else said, it depends what you want a degree in. I was fortunate to get a scholarship but I was also fortunate to actually wanna pursue a career in nursing, because it is so in demand. Hospitals will also pay for you to further your education, which they're doing for me. The draw back is that a career in the medical field isn't for everyone but for me, it's what I've wanted to do since I was 8 years old 😂

Apulu_backagain · Answer

I don't know but from the world I'm the part of, you can't do anything significant with high school only. Like even those with undergraduate degrees are struggling or get jobs, even engineers! Studying to a high level or in a good college or university is so important in my nation because there is so much competition. I have planned to do undergrad and then post graduation or MBA or both. And I think it's because I love to study anyways so it works for me.

Alex-Snow · Answer

I'm a Sophomore in college now. (pre-med) I am enjoying it and hoe I can get into grad school afterward. So far it seems like it is worth it. Fingers crossed!

Apple1996 · Answer

For most people it's a waste of money. Sometimes it pays off tho

HighValue · Answer

Trade schools often have a better return on investment.

LiamJHayden · Answer

For me, no. I make far more running my business than any degree I am capable of attaining would net me.

exitseven · Answer

it depends on the college and especially on the major. Fancy private colleges are often not worth the money and neither are degrees in theater arts or womens studies.

BadApple69 · Answer

Good question... Looking at the caliber of the people coming out of college today I would have to say... NO.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

Prolly not, honestly. I completed law school and I'm up to my ears in debt.  It would be a crap load of money for me to feel like this experience was actually worth it.

katiesmuff · Answer

I think it depends on what your future visions are and what would be required to make those visions happen.

BoobMan · Answer

It depends on several things: 1) WHAT are you studying? 2) WHERE are you studying it? 3) HOW MUCH do you need to pay? and 4) HOW MUCH DEBT will you need to take on?

onedarkcloud · Answer

Make sure it is not a woke college or one that takes class time to teach protesting in place of the subject you are paying tens of thousands of dollars for. Some Businesses won't hire from a woke colleges

itsannalee · Answer

For me yes, that’s why i even need to know education background when find a partner.

seeyounexttuesday · Answer

A lot of the time it isn't. If you have a thing you want to be (nurse, doctor, lawyer, accountant) then yeah. If you're going for a communications degree, no.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Yes in terms of career success, but the 850,000,000,000 smackers America spends on armaments could go to free university for those who academically qualify.

slatyb · Answer

It was for me but it will depend on what you want to do with your life.

Jennz6 · Answer

No, you can make a lot of money without going to college

Unit1 · Answer

No. Be good at something. Let your portfolio and interest do the talk. Education is a scam.

paledreams · Answer

Unless you wanna be a somebody aka doctor lawyer politician

Anonymous · Answer

Statistically, yes. But IMHO it's worthless if you lack the ability to sell yourself. To convince an employer that you're just what he or she needs.

TallAnon · Answer

Too broad a question. Some degrees help, others only waste time/money. Set a longterm google and see what is needed to get there.

Sevenpointfive · Answer

yes. it really depends on the field you want to get in to and if you have a career track in mind.

Shark_61695 · Answer

Many years ago when I went to uni, there was a study that said someone with 3 years experience would earn £3000 per year more, every year than someone who went to uni over the same period.

Garud · Answer

There's no harm in getting some paper degrees as long as it's cheap

Twalli · Answer

Depends on what you plan to do for work. If it doesn't require higher education, don't bother.

DaBiggestBird · Answer

I probably can be, I suppose it depends on what your goal is. As for me, absolutely not. But I know some people needed it

es20490446e · Answer

You start with the end. What do you want to achieve?

Anonymous · Answer

No, in my opinion, you are better off identifying problems in the world and then developing skills to fix those problems. Besides those skills, learn how to communicate well verbally and in writing, learn logic, and as much math as possible.

Kayleigh2005 · Answer

Omg ask in a couple of years

Crazzyyworld · Answer

Good if you become a doctor or engineer or just for fun drinking and hanging out at party

OddBeMe · Answer

What do the stats say?

Aurav22 · Answer

Is money worth the collage?

FunkyMonkee · Answer

It kinda used to be but, not anymore.

Grond21 · Answer

Most aren't. A few will always be worth it though

shortster · Answer

Not currently. Maybe 20 years ago.

BCRanger10 · Answer

These days? I don't think so.

Tomisworthless · Answer

Ever heard of 'it takes $ to make $$'?

Arslan23 · Answer

yes college worth the moeny

UrsulaY · Answer

Not unless in the medical or legal field.

Anonymous · Answer

Not at age 34. That ship has sailed.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

Not for men, not anymore.

Ladsin2 · Answer

Not for most people.

linka_pat307 · Answer

I think soo

sarakay12 · Answer

I don’t think it’s worth

Anonymous · Answer

Generally not

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