All of a student's adolescent school years they are trained to think that college is the epitome of higher learning. The pupil endures never ending years of monumental distress, because they are promised a fairy tale ending. When they finally achieve that dream after going through countless years of tedious schoolwork, their entire thought process behind what college is changes. They are then left with one question to answer. Is college really worth all the money it takes to graduate from one?
The main reason a student questions the decision of attending a higher institute is the severe amount of money you have to spend just to take classes. According to collegedata.com the average tuition cost for a student attending an in state college is 9,400 dollars. This extreme expense only rises for those scholars looking to study out of state.
Tuition is only the beginning when it comes to the absurd amount of money college expunges out of students. Room and board averages 5,000 dollars and books average 1,300. If you were to add those numbers plus the amount of finances it takes support your life, then you are looking at spending over 18,000 dollars yearly while attending school.
From a naive point of view a college bachelors or associates degree would seem like a sure way to find a decent job. On the contrary, in today's society depending on what major you choose the incessant amount of work you put in for a degree could possibly lead to a life of poverty. The long nights you spent studying, the anguish you persevered through, and the tears you shed could all be for nothing. So the question still stands. Is college really worth it?
Yes, student loans make the process more bearable, but once you graduate they ask for every dollar back. The exponential amount of money plus the interest rate that is added on to it makes paying the final amount back nearly impossible. So the false pretense that you don't technically have to pay for college with enough financial aid is false.
Growing up everyone has dreams. Whether it's becoming a doctor, lawyer, or CEO every person has a dream they try to reach. We naively go through the motions of completing every level of grade school there is, and finally make it to college. Our dreams are that much closer. Then reality hits us in the face.
Parents, siblings, and friends are all effected by a student's decision to obtain a degree. College can be the gateway to a wealthy life or a life in debt. It can lead to a prosperous life or one filled with regrets. All a student can do is work hard and hope for the best. So is college really worth it?
