As high school comes to an end for the graduating class of 2025, a new chapter begins, one which will look different for many. For a large number of seniors, the next step in life will be beginning college, whether it be a four year, or community college. However, an undeniable factor that plays a role in deciding the next steps after high school is money.
It’s no secret that college is a huge financial investment, and for some it may not seem to be worth the price. The cost of attending a four year university is on a constant increase due to the cost of living, tuition, housing, books, and other fees. Seeing a number so large may seem terrifying, but the benefits of attending a college far surpass the price tag, and easily make college debt worth it.
College is not simply an extended education. It prepares one for a career in life. Many careers require, at the minimum, a bachelor’s degree in order to get hired. So therefore, obtaining a degree can open up many opportunities for an array of jobs that a person with only a high school diploma would not be able to acquire. According to Forbes Magazine, “In today’s competitive job market, many employers prefer candidates with a college education. Not holding a bachelor’s degree can limit available job options and be an obstacle to securing well-paying positions, thus putting you at higher risk for unemployment or financial instability” (forbes.com).
Future UCSD Student Senior Leonardo Baleto said, “Personally, I think college debt is definitely worth it because it will help me achieve a better career and help me make more money than I would without a degree.” Without a degree there are limits to how far a person may be able to advance in certain careers. According to insights from Yale University, “The inevitable sticker shock that households feel when confronting the cost of college should not obscure the fact that the real lifetime earnings premium to college education has likely never been higher” (insights.som.yale.edu). Higher education often means a higher paying wage, providing the means to pay off student loans.
Another benefit that makes college debt worth it, and may even contribute to securing a high paying job in the future, is the people one has the opportunity to network. Now, going to a particularly prestigious college is not the most important thing, but when attending a four-year university, it allows one to network relationships that may open opportunities in the future for one’s career. According to a website about college, “Thriving in today’s economy requires relationships; every vocational calling from an author and accountant to a photographer or a physician requires the ability to develop and maintain relationships” (cornerstone.edu). Relationships that are made in college can present career advancements that may generate more money that may or may not have been possible before.
Relationships can be priceless, especially life-long friendships that one will build with others throughout college. Although many may believe that high school friendships will last a lifetime, that is not necessarily the case. According to The Chronicle, more than 70 percent of friendships fade after high school. As young adults enter into a new chapter of their lives and discover more about themselves, real, and genuine friendships are built (hwchronicle.com). The cost of college is stress inducing, but having a friendship that replenishes the soul and mind is always more important.
Debt is viewed as a hindrance and burden, but in today’s world, paying off debt has become a much less complicated task to handle. There are many different tools to contribute to paying college costs such as the FAFSA, along with scholarships and grants, which make the load of loans one needs to take out more manageable. Each individual college has a customized school-specific financial aid package system which can take a great deal of stress away from the cost of attendance. These financial aid options are a great opportunity.
College debt is an easy thing to fear, but it’s important to understand the benefits of earning a degree. Obtaining a degree builds individual skills that are needed to function in the world and allows for unique life experiences and opportunities. College is an investment that takes time and energy, but it is an irreplaceable experience and an incredibly valuable investment.