Why you should go to college.
The Obsession | Edition - 043
This has become a more popular debate as the price of college has increased and more people share stories about making money without a bachelor's degree.
I fully understand the benefits of not going. Most of them, to my understanding, are financial. My argument is to maybe just forget about the cost for a minute. Because college, in my opinion, is so much more than just getting your degree.
Maturity:
Most of the arguments against college come down to two things. It's expensive, and you don't need a degree to be successful. I don't disagree with either of those. It is expensive. And you can teach yourself almost anything.
But I think the benefits far outweigh the cost for most people.
In my experience, most 18-year-olds, including myself, are not mature enough to just go into the real world and figure it out on their own. I know that I wasn't. College gave me the opportunity to figure out who I was going to be and become a more well-rounded individual.
I think about key moments. Showing up on the first day not knowing anyone. Meeting the people who would become my closest friends. Not getting reminders about homework being due. Living away from home for the first time. And all the memories that come with college that can't be found anywhere else.
These are all part of a maturing process that I think most people need to go through. I'm painting a broad stroke, but I believe it's true for the majority.
Friends:
We are not meant to do life alone. We are meant to be in community. I am a big believer in this.
Most of my closest friends are people I lived with in college. And while it is fully possible to meet people outside of college, it is much harder than you think.
Since college, I've lived in two cities outside of the state I grew up in and went to school in. Trust me when I say it's harder to meet people than you might expect. College has this built into its nature. It gives you the space to find the people you want to surround yourself with.
I would not trade any amount of money for the friendships I made in college.
The stats:
I don't love leading with numbers on this one, but if you think this way then I hope these help.
The stats are in your favor of you going to college:
Bachelor's degree holders earn an average of $2.8 million over their careers, a 75% premium over high school graduates, and hold a median household net worth nearly 4 to 5 times higher.
College graduates experience significantly lower unemployment rates, typically around 2.2% compared to over 4% for non-graduates. They face far fewer layoffs during recessions and are more likely to work in recession-resistant roles.
Over 70% of college educated workers receive employer provided health insurance and retirement plans, compared to roughly 50% of high school graduates.
Adults with a college degree report better physical health, lower rates of poverty, and an average life expectancy up to 7 years longer than those without postsecondary education.
There are more stats out there, but the main takeaway is that they are in your favor.
To close:
There are always going to be outliers on both sides of the argument. What I want to leave you with:
There is a high probability you should go to college.
The experiences and friendships you'll build there can't be bought later, and no amount of money in the world buys back a second of time.
Don't let the cost scare you away from four years you'll never get back.
