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Is it worth it to go to college?

RightinNYC said:
Flash forward four years and you've studied all sorts of medieval art history and have a new outlook on the world courtesy of your critical race theory classes. You also have $120k in debt. What do you do now?

I'm just saying that "study what you enjoy" should always come with the appendix "if it's not costing you a lot of money and if you'll be able to support yourself in a way you'd like to live once you're done."
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Arguably, if the person is really passionate about those subjects, it could lead them to relevant organizations or work. On the other hand, if you're studying them just because, or because you are just putting filler into a degree just because you feel you want one, then it might not pan out.

I'm a firm believer in life rewarding you if you follow your true passions.
 
reefedjib said:
Scratch that. Just study what you enjoy. It is too valuable an opportunity to prepare yourself to make money. That will come later.
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I appreciate that aspect but as Right has pointed out, that **** ain't cheap.
I don't have the time, nor the money, to throw away at learning fun stuff that can't pay for itself.
 
RightinNYC said:
Flash forward four years and you've studied all sorts of medieval art history and have a new outlook on the world courtesy of your critical race theory classes. You also have $120k in debt. What do you do now?

I'm just saying that "study what you enjoy" should always come with the appendix "if it's not costing you a lot of money and if you'll be able to support yourself in a way you'd like to live once you're done."
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We put our 2 kids thru college, they helped some by working part time and getting a few small academic scholarships. There were only 2 rules applied to the free education they got. The major one was that if they picked a major that just barely qualifies them to be night manager at a fast food place, we don't pay for it....the other rule, marry if you like, but no babies til you have your own job and your own medical benefits.

One became a science teacher, the other majored in economics and now owns half of a very profitable website.
 
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washunut said:
Just wondering. How many years are you out of school. Did you have a pretty good starting salary. Good these days I think would be in the 40-50 range.
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I have 10 years experience, but I graduated college 3 years ago.
 
UtahBill said:
Depends on where you live, as the cost of living is something to be considered....I think it is low for experienced techs and/or starting engineers.
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4 years ago, I was making 35k, now I have prospects of making 70k. I think the biggest difference is that I have a college degree. But everyone's results will vary.
 
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megaprogman said:
In my case, I live in the country and cost of living is pretty low (my house mortgage is like $650 a month with escrow, tax, and insurance, for a 1600 sqft 1.5 acre, on a lake), so I guess I am doing ok.
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Living on a lake in the deep south, nice.....
Fish much?
 
reefedjib said:
Scratch that. Just study what you enjoy. It is too valuable an opportunity to prepare yourself to make money. That will come later.
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I disagree. I think its best to study what you enjoy, but be careful that its something that makes money. Opportunity to study stuff like anthropology or whatever it is you like can be a hobby.
 
UtahBill said:
Living on a lake in the deep south, nice.....
Fish much?
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No, the lake is pretty polluted. I got the house for two reasons.
1. The lady who was selling was 8.5 months pregnant and about to get married. She wanted to sell fast (I got it under market value)
2. Its two doors down from my wife's uncle.

The lake just happened to be there, but its a useful selling point.
 
Thread: Is it worth it to go to college?
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Absolutely. 2009 Median Salaries » The Value of a College Education: Tuition Costs, Earning Power, and Unemployment Rates

Level of educaton Median salary
Advanced degree $69,056
Bachelor’s degree 53,300
Some college/associates’s degree 37,752
High school diploma, no college 32,552
Less than high school diploma 23,608

Unemployment Statistics: http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2010/...n-costs-earning-power-and-unemployment-rates/
Bachelor's or Higher 5%
Some college, Associate's Degree 8%
High School, no college 10.5%
Less than High School, 15.6%

Get your Associate's Degree on the cheap from a Community College, carefully planning your curriculum to transfer to a regular college. Get your Bachelor's -- join a company that allows tuition reimbursement and get your Master's. I've never ever heard anyone say they were sorry.
 
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Yes the tuition for college is ridiculous but it isn't as hard as people think to offset some of the cost. There are thousands of scholarships opportunities out there and many websites that tell you about them (the best being Fastweb : Scholarships, Financial Aid, Student Loans and Collegesin my opinion). I received $10,000 in private scholarships and applied for over 500 scholarships; it is very easy/
 
RightinNYC said:
Flash forward four years and you've studied all sorts of medieval art history and have a new outlook on the world courtesy of your critical race theory classes. You also have $120k in debt. What do you do now?

I'm just saying that "study what you enjoy" should always come with the appendix "if it's not costing you a lot of money and if you'll be able to support yourself in a way you'd like to live once you're done."
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That is a useful appendix. Those interests in medieval art history are excellent for elective courses or a minor, unless you are planning to get the PhD and work at the Smithsonian.

I think you should study what you love and hopefully it is sensible where a career is concerned. But if your thing is English, then you should go for it and figure out your career later. If you excel, you can land a good job with your degree. If you do not excel, it matters more what you majored in. If you majored in a technical field, like I did, you can develop a career. If you were mediocre and majored in History or English or Sociology and don't want an advanced degree, you may consider an accelerated culinary degree program after graduation, like my cousin. 1 year program if you already have a 4 year degree and you get some excellent job opportunities as a result. http://www.jwu.edu/content.aspx?id=20044 (check the Garnish your Degree section of the linked pdf and it shows you the classes you'll take)

I still say that having a degree is more valuable than the income it will get you. It is valuable for social reasons, political reasons (more educated voter), and intellectual reasons. Sure some of these things can be learned on you own, but a degree is a rite of passage to many.
 
pro-bipartisan said:
Yes the tuition for college is ridiculous but it isn't as hard as people think to offset some of the cost. There are thousands of scholarships opportunities out there and many websites that tell you about them (the best being Fastweb : Scholarships, Financial Aid, Student Loans and Collegesin my opinion). I received $10,000 in private scholarships and applied for over 500 scholarships; it is very easy/
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From personal experience, a lot of those grants and scholarships are based on your family income and expenses. A co-workers wife got a $2k grant back in the mid 70s, to attend Virginia Weslayan, IIRC. They had no kids, a car payment, credit card debt, and a large expense boarding a horse. We had 2 kids, no debt except a car payment, no horse payments, and about $2.5K in savings. They paid rent, so did we. My pay was a few bucks a month more than his. We were both in the Navy.
My wife applied, and got turned down.
So it pays to be irresponsible with your money...
 
UtahBill said:
From personal experience, a lot of those grants and scholarships are based on your family income and expenses. A co-workers wife got a $2k grant back in the mid 70s, to attend Virginia Weslayan, IIRC. They had no kids, a car payment, credit card debt, and a large expense boarding a horse. We had 2 kids, no debt except a car payment, no horse payments, and about $2.5K in savings. They paid rent, so did we. My pay was a few bucks a month more than his. We were both in the Navy.
My wife applied, and got turned down.
So it pays to be irresponsible with your money...
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Not one of my scholarships asked for family income so you are incorrect. Just go to Fastweb : Scholarships, Financial Aid, Student Loans and Colleges to find college scholarships. There other useful websites out their too you just have to do the research.
 
Geo Patric said:
how come?

geo.
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I didn't think the things I wanted to learn would be taught there.
When I was young, I thought college- school in general- brainwashed or indoctrinated people and sucked the creativity and individuality out of them.
Now I know better, but I still don't want to go.
I've found work that's meaningful to me and that allows me to support myself adequately, although it will never make me rich.
What more can one ask for, than secure, personally fulfilling work and a roof over one's head?
I don't think college is worth it for me because I already have everything I want.

:shrug:

Different people want different things out of life. For some people, college might be worth it because they might want things that cannot be acquired without a college education.
But I don't.
 
Unless you are one of the lucky ones, like Bill Gates, or you are exceptionally talented in an entertainment field (sports, acting, music) go to school. Get a degree, get paid more for doing the same thing someone without a degree get's paid. Or don't. Those of us that got the degree will get paid more because you don't have one.

www.excelsior.edu
www.bellevue.edu

Or any other online school......get your degree in your boxers without getting arrested for it/
 
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MaggieD said:
Absolutely. 2009 Median Salaries » The Value of a College Education: Tuition Costs, Earning Power, and Unemployment Rates

Level of educaton Median salary
Advanced degree $69,056
Bachelor’s degree 53,300
Some college/associates’s degree 37,752
High school diploma, no college 32,552
Less than high school diploma 23,608

Unemployment Statistics: » The Value of a College Education: Tuition Costs, Earning Power, and Unemployment Rates
Bachelor's or Higher 5%
Some college, Associate's Degree 8%
High School, no college 10.5%
Less than High School, 15.6%

Get your Associate's Degree on the cheap from a Community College, carefully planning your curriculum to transfer to a regular college. Get your Bachelor's -- join a company that allows tuition reimbursement and get your Master's. I've never ever heard anyone say they were sorry.
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Again, a large part of that disparity is due to self selection. High school drop outs are by and large dumber and lazier than people who become doctors. People who are lazy and dumb generally don't do well at their jobs, while people who are smart and hard-working do.

pro-bipartisan said:
Yes the tuition for college is ridiculous but it isn't as hard as people think to offset some of the cost. There are thousands of scholarships opportunities out there and many websites that tell you about them (the best being Fastweb : Scholarships, Financial Aid, Student Loans and Collegesin my opinion). I received $10,000 in private scholarships and applied for over 500 scholarships; it is very easy/
Click to expand...

pro-bipartisan said:
Not one of my scholarships asked for family income so you are incorrect. Just go to Fastweb : Scholarships, Financial Aid, Student Loans and Colleges to find college scholarships. There other useful websites out their too you just have to do the research.
Click to expand...

When I applied for scholarships (and aid from my schools) just a few years ago, parental income was always required, as it is for the FAFSA. Moreover, $10k is a fantastic start, but doesn't come close to covering the total cost.

mac said:
Unless you are one of the lucky ones, like Bill Gates, or you are exceptionally talented in an entertainment field (sports, acting, music) go to school. Get a degree, get paid more for doing the same thing someone without a degree get's paid. Or don't. Those of us that got the degree will get paid more because you don't have one.

www.excelsior.edu
Bellevue University | Real Learning for Real Life

Or any other online school......get your degree in your boxers without getting arrested for it/
Click to expand...

I'm sure that everyone's needs and desires are different, but I can say that I would never give serious credence in my field to someone who got an online degree and I don't know anyone who would. There are far too many schools that are flat out scams, and even those that are not don't generally compare to real schools. Most professional schools or state licensing boards won't even accept them as actual degrees.
 
SEX!!

Wait; what?


Harry Guerrilla said:
I understand that.

I've wanted to be a marketing, engineering, chemistry, computer support specialist, networking specialist, anthropologist, etc. major.

:mrgreen:

Think of something you may enjoy and that pays well.
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