College Degree Benefits

One of the main benefits that influences high school graduates to attend college or university is its monetary payoffs. In 2011, statistics show that graduates with bachelor’s degrees earned on average $56,500, which is $21,100 more than what high school graduates earn on average. Also college students that have no degree earn about 14% more than high school graduates (Baum, 5). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college graduates earn about 73% more than those who didn’t attend college (Value of a College Degree, 1). Opponents of higher education argue that students are paying much more than they need for an education. Additionally, they stated that there are many other jobs that don’t require a higher education, and that it is not worth …show more content…
During their time in college, students are able to learn interpersonal skills that result from their interaction with other students and professors (College Education, 3). College students also form professional networks with their peers that can be beneficial in the work place (College Education, 8). About 74% of those that graduate from a college said that a higher education allowed them to grow intellectually, 69% said that it allowed them to grow and mature, and 55% said that it allowed them to be prepared for a career (Pew Social, 1). These numbers have demonstrated the value of a college education, and have shown that there are many studies/degrees in college that can better prepare one for their career and social life. For instance, liberal arts education allows a student to become well rounded and develop good judgment and innovative skills. A benefit of liberal arts education is that it allows one to strive for continual learning rather than learning a specific skill, allowing them to use their education throughout their entire lives. Liberal learning also allows one to be able to make good decisions in their lives and career. This study, like many others, promotes discipline and creative thinking that will be useful in the real world. In college or university a person will be able to develop themselves into productive members of society through their education. Continuing with the example of liberal arts education, those graduates will be able to progressively developed ways of efficient working through the principles experimentation and freethinking taught to them. This way they can use their education (effective communication, critical thinking, etc.) to make a difference in their society (Roth, 1). Despite these advantages, many have concluded that since college tuition rises faster than wages it

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