Argumentative Essay: Is College Even Worth It?

Is College even worth it?

In early 1088, the University of Bologna was built as an institution that would provide a higher level of learning. Since the inception of the world's first higher-level academic institution, Colleges have continued to evolve and expand across the globe. If you were an affluent person throughout history, access to this type of education was easy and served as a place for young men and women to learn, debate and grow as young adults. As history progressed, and the expansion of colleges grew wider; access to these schools became easier for those from middle-income families all across the United States. With increased access, came higher tuition prices, and inevitably an argument was made that college may not be worth

This change forces them to interact with people they might not have previously. College teaches students how to communicate effectively with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. This allows students to gain new perspectives and build confidence. Through academic group projects, internships or other educational opportunities student build their personal and professional network. Building your network is important as it can assist you in both your personal and professional life. A study by HubSpot was conducted and it found that “85% of jobs are filled through networking. In fact, according to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly. These jobs are either posted internally or are created specifically for candidates that recruiters meet through networking.” (Apollo Technical,

College graduates tend to earn more than their non-graduate peers, “In 2021, the median income for recent graduates reached $52,000 a year for bachelor’s degree holders aged 22–27. For high school graduates the same age, median earnings are $30,000 a year.” (Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities, 2023). Having a degree or diploma can give a student an advantage over their peers in the hiring and promotional process which means they have the potential to make more. Having a degree or diploma makes someone more marketable in their industry. It shows employers that they can learn at a higher level and put in the dedication to finish something challenging. While we are conditioned to go to the best schools and attend the most elite institutions, college can be completed at a fraction of the price. Many students can attend junior colleges, and public universities to earn their credits at a fraction of the price of a State college. They can use cost-saving educational platforms such as Sophia learning, Study.com, or Saylor to earn credits at a fraction of the cost and time. Students have the opportunity to apply for thousands of scholarships and bursaries to reduce the cost of their education. In addition to private scholarships, “the U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion in scholarship money annually.” (Hanson, 2022) Proper