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Arguments For And Against A College Education's Worthiness

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Arguments For and Against a College Education’s Worthiness
More than 44 million people owe collectively a total of more than $1.5 trillion in student debt alone, discouraging many to pursue a higher education (“Is a College Education Worth It?” ProCon.org). For decades the world has wondered whether college is truly worth the debt. A high school graduate earns on average $1.2 million in their lifetime, whereas a college graduate earns on average $2.1 million (Krakoff). Whether the value of a college education is worth the expense, time, and effort put in has become controversial with observers from both sides of the issue putting forth reasons for their positions.
First, those who argue that the value of a college education is beneficial and …show more content…

Vivek Wadhwa, an entrepreneur who holds a Masters in Business Administration, states college graduates “learn how to interact with each other…they develop skills which make them innovative” (“Is a College Education Worth it?” ProCon.org). When students join clubs, take part in student organizations, be a part in discussions and debates, and, in general, participate in college activities, classes, and lifestyles they learn interpersonal skills which is an important skill used …show more content…

College costs three times as much as it did 30 years ago (“Making Headlines Since the ‘70’s: Is College Worth it?”). Along with student debt, college degree-requiring jobs pay less than jobs that don’t require a degree. A college graduate featured in the news broadcast Weekend All Things Considered stated “I work at a call center and I make $10 an hour. And I feel like a loser.” Another said “I’m just about broke and I’m about to graduate.” College students graduate with no experience, no money, and student debt. Kevin Carey, a higher education writer and policy analyst and host of the news broadcast, stated “ It is possible to be cheated by the higher education system.” As a whole, 1.5 trillion is owed in student debt, as mentioned before, and the number continues to rise. William J. Bennet, the United States former Secretary of Education, wrote a book titled: Is College Worth It? In the first chapter, “A Borrowing Binge,” he writes about his encounter with a 34 year old bartender. The bartender finished college with $50,000 in debt to pay and still had about $40,000 left. Bennet stated the bartender “felt disillusioned with his prospects of ever paying it back” and quotes the bartender “‘I didn’t go to college to have this job,’ he said” and “‘I’m living in a box.’” The

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