Why Should I Go to College?

Is college still a game-changer in today’s world? With all the options available to high school students planning their futures, you’re probably wondering whether college is worth the big investment in time and money.

Before you decide whether earning a college degree is right for you, consider some of the long-term benefits: higher lifetime earnings, better job prospects, and new opportunities. 

Here are a few key points to help you determine whether college is in your future and how to plan for it. 

Planning for Your Best Future

Graduating from high school is a huge milestone, but deciding what comes next can be tough. Before you make college your next step, take a step back and ask yourself what you really want. 

• Explore your own passions and interests. What careers or fields of study excite you? What education level or credentials would you need to enter the industries you’re interested in?
• Talk to others about their college and career trajectory. Ask some college graduates what degrees they’ve earned, and what careers they’ve entered.
• Research potential earnings. What salaries can you earn with a college degree versus a high school diploma? Is the career you’re considering in high demand? Does it require a degree? Could you earn higher wages with higher education? 

To find what feels right for you, focus on the future you want and stay open to exploring options. 

Find the Right College for You 

When considering college, it's normal to feel overwhelmed by all the options.

A great starting point is taking the College Quiz, which helps you identify schools that match your preferences. By letting us know what you're looking for, we can provide a tailored list of colleges that meet your criteria.

Additionally, you can explore colleges using our College Search tool. This allows you to narrow down your choices based on location, affordability, campus life, degree options, and other personalized factors, helping you see what is possible and make an informed decision.

Paying for College

There’s no sugarcoating it: College can be expensive. In fact, the cost can be off-putting, especially if you’re wondering if a college degree is a valuable investment for your future. 

How can you decide if the cost of college is worth it? 

The key is finding a school where you’re likely to graduate on time and with low or moderate debt. More than a million scholarships are awarded to students each year, along with federal and state aid to support you as you attend college. 

While still in high school, you can earn the opportunity to save time and money toward a degree by scoring a 3 or higher on an AP Exam to earn college credit or advanced placement. 

As many as 4 out of 10 students who start a 4-year degree program don’t finish in 6 years. Colleges with more resources, like generous financial aid funding, good counselors, and mentoring programs, typically have a better track record of graduating their students on time and with low debt.

Benefits of College 

Besides paving a path to higher salaries and better career opportunities, college is a great way to stimulate your personal growth and expand your professional network. 

College degree programs allow you room to explore. You can sample different subjects you’re curious about or dive deeper into a discipline that fascinates you. And some college courses offer real-world experience in a career field through class campaigns or internships. 

College professors are often experts with extensive industry knowledge. They can open doors to students through multiple support networks, such as alumni organizations or company contacts. Cultivating those relationships while you’re in college can benefit you when you graduate and enter the job market. 

And as a college student, you’ll experience a wide range of activities outside the classroom. You can check out student organizations that connect to your career goals and personal interests. 

Thinking clearly about your goals and college options can help you make the choice that’s right for you. Feeling confident about your next step after high school, whether that’s college or a career, can set you on the path to a fulfilling future. 

Professional Certificate Programs and Technical Schools

In some careers, professional certificate programs or technical schools can be valuable alternatives to higher education. It’s important to research what kind of training is most valuable for your target career field, and whether it can supplement or replace a four-year degree.

There are multiple pathways to getting experience in your chosen career field. Specific training programs in fields like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare can lead to immediate job opportunities and above-average pay. Job training credentials offered by community colleges, often in partnership with local employers, are some of the highest-rated programs.

It’s important to not only consider the pros and cons of programs like these but also to find out what potential employers in your chosen career path require. Some larger tech companies, such as IBM, Google, and Apple, will accept proof of specific coding or data analytics skills for entry-level jobs. But they still typically require college degrees for higher-level positions.