Education

Growing up, I was always taught by my parents that in life there was only one way to go. That way was going to a university, getting a degree and then finding a job. At first, I did not think that it was necessary because of all of the athletes and entertainers you see on T.V. I thought that I could just become a professional athlete and make a living that way. As I became older I realized how hard it would be to accomplish my dream, so I altered my dream and then saw what my parents were saying and I realized education was the key to a successful future. In today’s world, college is basically not an option any more if you want to have a high-quality life. Education can accomplish a successful future for you by providing higher salaries, a better quality of life, and more opportunities in life.

One major effect that education has is on a person’s salary. By going to a university to earn a bachelors degree, the average person will make about 1.6 million more than the incomes of people with only a high school diploma says NYtimes.com. The U.S. Census said that males age 25 and up who hold a bachelors degree make an average of $61,000 compared to about $32,000 for a male with only a high school diploma. So people with a bachelor’s degree earn about $29,000 more and that gap in salaries begins to grow rapidly. One disappointing fact about higher education is how women are treated. In the work place, unfortunately women with bachelor degrees still receive less pay than men with the same degree. But females who choose to have a higher education still earn more than men without any higher education.

If you didn’t think so before, college education is worth every penny in its investment. According to Sonoma University, every dollar spent on a college education produces $35.00 in increased lifetime income. One negative about getting a higher education is the price of college. The average price of college, not including room and board is about 6,000 at an average university. Some people find the price of higher education as a reason to not pursue a degree. But the only thing more expensive than getting a college education is not getting one. The difference in income between people with only high school educations and people with bachelor’s degrees is worth the extra money. Plus, there are always scholarships and grants you can obtain from the government, certain foundations and even the school you want to attend along with financial aid opportunities.

The quality of life is another aspect that makes higher education desirable studies have shown that college graduates have longer lives, better access to healthcare, and greater economic stability and security. College graduates are said to have longer life spans because of the likelihood that they will have more money which leads to a more comfortable lifestyle.