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Is College Worth It? The Pros and Cons of Getting a US College Degree
- January 11, 2024
- Posted by: admin
Have you been wondering “is a college degree worth it?”, or if it’s even the right path for you? Then this article is for you!
We’ll go over the advantages of college education, as well as the potential challenges, such as tuition and the academic rigor.
What are the benefits of college?
The first step to answering the question of “Is college worth it?” is to analyze the benefits that come with a college degree in the United States.
You’ll have more career growth opportunities
One of the main selling points of college education is that a college degree opens more and better career opportunities.
For example, college grads are more likely to earn a higher salary than workers without a degree. The U.S. Report on the Condition of Education 2022 for example, shows that the average annual earning for 25- to 34-year-olds in the US are $36,600 for high school graduates, compared to $59,600 for Bachelor’s graduate.
College graduates also, on average, have a higher employment rate and more job prospects than people without a degree. The same report highlights that the employment rate of 25- to 34-year-olds from the U.S. is 86% for students with a university degree (or higher) and 68% for high school graduates.
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Personal growth and networking opportunities
A college career not only provides knowledge and skills learning but also affects the personal and social skills.
College friendships, study abroad exchanges, professor-student relationships, and the stress of exams are all life experiences that you will hardly forget and will be part of your cultural background.
The education journey will enable you to gain more self-confidence, set new goals for the future, and learn how to manage time efficiently. College also allows you to build a network of international friendships or business contacts that can come in handy later on.
An opportunity to study abroad
Experiences abroad are a great way to challenge yourself and experience life in a new country. You can choose to complete a full degree abroad or spend just a few semesters at a host university. Depending on which program you apply for, you will have different benefits.
One of the most popular exchange programs, Erasmus+, offers students a wide range of opportunities abroad in European and extra-European countries for up to 12 months. You may also get an Erasmus+ grant as a contribution to your travel and living costs.