Whether you believe your parents or not, the truth is, there are several benefits to earning a college education that can dramatically improve your quality of life. While college education cost is regularly cited as a defining factor on whether or not an individual moves onto a higher learning institution, it should not be a complete deterrent.
First, you have a higher earning potential. While college education costs are high, having a college degree is linked to higher pay, according to a 2010 Educations Pays report from the College Board. The median earnings of bachelor’s degree recipients working full time year round in 2008 were $55,700, which is $21,900 more than what individuals with only a high school diploma earned.
College grads are also more likely to make healthier life style choices. For instance, they are less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise compared to high school grads, according to the College Board report, Education Pays 2010.
Finally, college graduates have been shown to be more likely to have employer provided health care coverage. This in itself offsets the cost of a college education. Better health care for yourself and your family should be something you are invested in. Nearly 70 percent of college graduates had employer provided health insurance, while only 50 percent of high school graduates had that benefit, according to a 2008 report by the College Board.
While the cost of college education can be a deterrent, it should not be. College offers you the opportunity to not only master a specific field, but also the chance for better opportunities down the road. Loans are available to help you offset the price of college education, and community colleges offer the chance for a less expensive option. Do not let the price deter you from a better life down the road.
