Why should I go to college?

Why should I go to college? This is a question that a lot of high school graduates have on their minds. It is essential to decide whether or not you want to continue your education after high school when you are getting close to graduating. Is it worthwhile to get a college degree or professional certification?

There are several compelling reasons to pursue a degree at a postsecondary institution, even though doing so can be financially burdensome and may take several years or even longer to finish. The following information can assist you in comprehending why graduating from high school and going on to earn a college degree is a prudent choice.

Why is college important to society?

Learning is not the only focus of college life. You will find a community full of new people there, and you will have new experiences there as well. It is the place where you will meet friends who will remain in your life forever and where you will learn valuable lessons about yourself. It is the place you will go to achieve new levels of success.

College is about challenging assumptions, stepping outside your comfort zone, and discovering who you are. In a nutshell, it’s the most beneficial investment you can make for your future in terms of your finances and personal development.

The main reason for the question “why is college important to society” is that you now have the chance to pursue an interest that you already have but on a more in-depth level and create connections along the way. You get to know people from various cultures and backgrounds who share interests that are similar to and distinct from yours. They may even introduce you to new interests you were unaware of.

Benefits of going to college

There are some students for whom attending college is a foregone conclusion. However, before you start sending in your applications and going on college tours, you need to ask yourself: why should I go to college? If you haven’t thought about why you want a higher education, the answer to that question might be more challenging to come up with than it seems at first.

Here are some of the main benefits of going to college and why you should consider entering one:

1. Increased financial gains

A college education can give you an advantage in earning potential, even though salaries tend to be quite variable across all sectors of the economy. People who have completed college and obtained relevant certifications not only have the potential to begin their careers with a higher income but also have more opportunities to increase that income over the course of their careers, such as through promotions and other career advancements.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the United States found that individuals with bachelor’s degrees earned a median of $1,305 per week, while individuals with only a high school diploma earned $781. That makes a difference of almost 30,000 dollars per year when added up. But what do those additional earnings look like over a career spanning more than 40 years? According to a study conducted recently at Georgetown University, high school graduates had median lifetime earnings of $1.6 million, while college graduates had lifetime earnings of $2.8 million. This represents a 75% increase in earnings for college graduates.

2. Increased assurance of employment

Earning a degree from an accredited college or university typically results in increased job security, which means you have a reduced risk of unemployment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for workers with a college degree was 2.1% in December 2021. In contrast, the unemployment rate for workers with only a high school education was 4.6%.

In addition, to those who still doubt in thinking, “why should I go to college” you may be in a better position to weather periods of economic unrest. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, those with only a high school diploma experienced more severe decreases in their workforce participation than college graduates.

When it comes to your chosen field, having a degree or certification demonstrates that you have obtained specialized knowledge. Because many employers would instead hire workers who have the appropriate skills and expertise than workers who have not received any higher education, this could provide you with job security. Many employers prefer to have employees who have these skills and knowledge. In addition to providing a secure career path, job security can also give you a sense of mental well-being.

3. Increased contentment with one’s life

You will have the opportunity to find out what you are truly passionate about while attending college. Your professors and classmates will be able to assist you in determining the things that are most important to you.

People who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree are more likely to be happy with their lives than those who have not completed this level of education. The Pew Research Center found that 75% of college graduates in the United States report being “very satisfied” with their family lives, while only 64% of those with an education level lower than high school say the same thing.

4. The possibility of pursuing specialized interests

If you go to college, you will almost certainly have opportunities to gain practical experience in the sector of the economy or profession that you would like to work in after graduation. You might, for instance, have the opportunity to participate in an internship, externship, or job shadowing program at the company. These opportunities will give you a better idea of what your chosen field’s typical workday will be like so that you can better prepare for it.

More income or landing a good job aren’t the only benefits of earning a college degree. You might discover new interests and broaden your perspective of the world while you’re away at college.

When you go to college, you can take classes outside your major that will broaden your perspective and introduce you to new areas of inquiry. A significant benefit to those thinking, “why should I go to college” is that you will acquire new skills and develop interests that may be difficult to cultivate in other environments if you were to remain in those settings.

If you attend a college, you will have access to knowledgeable professors and classmates who are talented and can help broaden your mind. You can pick up knowledge from people at the pinnacle of their fields and whom you would not usually have the chance to work with.

5. Build up your professional ties and contacts.

In the business world, there is a proverb goes: “Your network is your net worth.” To put it another way, the people you know can affect your professional standing, which can affect how much money you make.

Going to college automatically broadens your professional network because it puts you in contact with more people working in the field of your choice. Your teachers can compose recommendation letters for you that can assist you in getting hired, other students can help you learn about job openings, and the university might even host recruiting sessions on campus.

Another helpful resource, and many people’s reason when they think about the question “why should I go to college” is the college’s alumni network; many educational institutions maintain directories of graduates they can contact regarding employment opportunities. You can frequently find other graduates from your college on LinkedIn or through your college’s direct alumni network on your college’s website.

The Bottom Line: the main reason why I should go to college

The bottom line here is that if you are looking for an answer to the good reason “why I should go to college”, it is the possibility of growth. Attending college can offer numerous benefits to one’s finances, health, and social life; however, no degree can guarantee that these benefits will materialize. Nevertheless, the growth you will receive in college makes up for it.

Attending a vocational school, obtaining a certificate through online coursework, or beginning a business are some of the many viable options for constructing a successful professional path.

An associate’s degree can help open more doors than a bachelor’s degree. Still, it does not require the same amount of time or financial investment as a bachelor’s degree if you cannot complete a four-year degree program. Because there are so many ways to teach yourself valuable skills, going to college is not required to have a successful career; however, doing so may make things easier for you. But if you still have doubts and are still asking, “why should I go to college?” Take some time to investigate your interests before deciding what you want to major in or what career path you want to pursue if you are unsure of what you want to do with your life.

Entering college might be a very important decision. At AdmissionSight, we can guide you to take the right steps in the path you wish to take. With over 10 years of experience guiding students through college admissions from the best schools in the world, entering the college you want is now easier. You can book a consultation to learn more about it.