Discussions about the value of a college degree typically focus on initial job attainment, affordability, debt, return on investment, and arguments about accessibility and entitlement, not on the deeper value of higher education and the important doors it opens. Partisan attacks on course content and admissions policies distract from the real value: Beyond helping to develop essential professional skills, the college instills strong moral compasses in our next generation of leaders and skilled workers – strengths of character and life assets that never diminish.
There is a tendency to take for granted the many benefits and accomplishments that our nation derives from a highly educated population, especially among the more than 60% of Americans who—through choice or because of financial or circumstantial obstacles—have not had the opportunity. To complete a bachelor’s degree. There may also be resentment, frustration, or anger. These perceptions are easily shattered by negative experiences, personal frustration, economic problems, and the beliefs of family and peer groups.
Recent Gallup research shows that belief in the importance of higher education has declined. In a 2015 survey, major subgroups generally expressed “a great deal” of confidence in higher education. By 2018, this trust had declined among all groups, with the largest decline (17%) among Republicans. But that gap widened into a significant gap in this year’s poll, falling 20 points to just 19% among Republican respondents. Confidence among adults without a college degree and those age 55 or older declined by about the same amount.
However, this decline in confidence does not reflect reality: a recent report by Lumina and Gallup entitled “Education for What?” Documents that workers with college degrees tend to earn $1 million or more than workers without a college education over their lifetime. Although important, it is only one benefit and does not reflect the many other valuable contributions to society including research, educational leadership, personal and employment-related spending, innovation, philanthropic support and public service.
As usual, when we measure the value of a college degree, we are politically divided: many Democrats lament the cost of education, while Republicans complain that colleges are hotbeds of liberal thought. Beyond the financial cost, sowing seeds of doubt about the value of a university education is not a new phenomenon; Skeptics and those who benefit from less educated populations, including some industries and politicians, have long expressed doubts about its importance or need.
It makes sense to examine the qualitative and quantitative benefits and ask: What investments are worthwhile and inexpensive? We often spend large sums of money in the hope of a longer-term benefit – whether it is a change in quality of life, improvements to homes and businesses, or a myriad of financial instruments. A good college education trumps most of these investment opportunities.
What’s more, college education is not declining. It is an essential investment in personal success, future prosperity, and the interests of our nation. Employers continue to primarily hire workers with college degrees, especially in technology, research, and scientific fields. Bachelor’s degrees and advanced degrees are mandatory for well-paying professions such as medicine, accounting, computer science, law, engineering, education, and many more.
In addition to preparing students for critical careers, the college offers comprehensive life experiences. Whether pursuing the liberal arts or specific fields of study, colleges teach young people how to better understand the world around them and develop the social and emotional skills they need to play, work, compete, and collaborate with others successfully in the next stages of their lives. .
What many naysayers fail to understand is that institutions of higher education, in addition to providing excellent, much-needed professional and life skills, serve as a catalyst for positive change and form the bedrock of a more open and enlightened society. The value of a college education lies not only in learning facts, data, and processes, but in developing critical thinking skills. We help develop minds capable of separating fact from fiction and able to use reliable information and logic to make decisions.
In today’s highly polarized political climate, manipulation of reality has become a common practice. This includes efforts to rewrite history and distort news and facts to satisfy religious, political, or cultural biases — or for personal gain. An educated voter cannot be seduced so easily, and college can be an important path to accumulating such powerful knowledge.
When you consider the long-term return to individuals, the societal rewards of contribution, and the essential jobs that need to be filled, a college education is actually a bargain. While efforts to help fund access to education, especially for marginalized populations, often fall far short of what this nation needs to ensure prosperity and continued economic growth, there are many different sources of financial aid here.
Of course, a college education is not for everyone, but for those seeking to further their education or work in an industry where a degree is vital, the value remains constant, especially now. Having an informed, well-educated electorate is critical to maintaining a healthy democracy and ensuring that we have the professionals needed to maintain the health, economy, government, and well-being of our country.
Investing in a college education is a valuable decision that can provide a lifetime of benefits. Not only does a college degree open up a world of career opportunities, but it also offers the chance to develop essential skills and knowledge that can never be taken away. Unlike other investments that can fluctuate in value, the value of a college education never declines. In fact, the return on investment for a college degree continues to grow over time, making it a wise and enduring choice for anyone looking to secure their future.