proven their ability to achieve a major milestone. A college graduate with a bachelor’s degree usually earns $30,000 more than a high school graduate every year. An associate's degree was worth about $170,000 more than a high school diploma in 2011.
Now, more and more jobs require college degrees. Georgetown University calculated approximately 63% of jobs will require some college education or a degree by 2018. College graduates also have more and better employment opportunities. In 2013, 58% of college graduates and people with some college or associate's degrees reported being satisfied with their jobs compared to half of the people who only graduated high school. Despite the high satisfaction rates, many recent college graduates are unemployed or underemployed. Half of the college graduates under 25 years old had no job or a part-time job in 2011 but i believe that is the economy the US is in right now. Young adults learn interpersonal skills in college. Americans are the most innovative people in the world because of the education system. Even partying in college has its benefits. Students learn social skills and how to interact with each other by partying. Most of those who graduate college are healthier and live longer. More college graduates reported being in excellent health than high school graduates.
Sometimes, the debt of college is too much. Student loan debt is crippling for college graduates. in 2013, 10% of students graduate with over $40,000 in debt and about 1% have $100,000 in debt. Student loan debt often forced college graduates to live with their parents and delay marriage, financial independence, and many other adult milestones. Student loan borrowers delayed retirement saving, car purchases, and home purchases. If college became free, even if you decide to drop out and not graduate, you’ll only be wasting time instead of money. dropping out in college now wastes your time along with money from yourself and the government. In 2013, the federal government allocated $176.83 billion for college loans, grants, tax benefits, and work studies. State governments spent $81.2 billion supporting public colleges. Student debt also puts stress on many seniors. When seniors give money to their children or grandchildren for college, it could be enough to put them in major debt. College degrees do not always guarantee learning or job preparation. So if college were free, at least you didn't waste your money on something you’ll never use outside of a school campus.
College graduates usually have lower poverty rates and the children of college graduates are healthier and more prepared for school.
College graduates are a lot more productive as members of society. President Emeritus of Northwestern University, Henry Bienan, argues that a college education results in “greater productivity, lower crime, better health, and better citizenship for more educated people.” In my opinion, education is always worthwhile. Even if you do not use it in the real world, the experience makes you grow as an individual. College opens the door to many career opportunities. Colleges offer career services, internships, job shadowing, job fairs, and volunteer opportunities to the students that attend. Most college students complete internships before graduation, giving them valuable employment experience. People who do not go to college are more likely to be unemployed. Unemployed individuals place a financial strain on society making a college degree worth it to taxpayers. Naturaly, college exposes students to diverse people and ideas. Yes, you can meet many different people in high school, but college is a little bit different. In college, you have the chance to socialize with other students from around the world and learn from professors with a variety of
expertise.
Maybe the government makes college so expensive for a reason. Maybe they have it all figured out. I believe that the biggest reason the government doesn't want people to be successful and educated is due to their fear of being taken over by whoever has enough education and power to do so.