College can sometimes feel like years of work and money spent leading to nothing more than a name on a piece of paper. Between the cost, effort and time required to earn a degree, the question becomes hard to ignore: is college actually worth it?
For many, the incentive of attending college is simple: money. There’s a noticeable gap in earnings, with college graduates earning around $1,543 in median weekly salary compared to $930 for those with a high school diploma.
Beyond salary, there are lifetime advantages associated with a degree. Higher wages can lead to better quality insurance, stronger savings and more financial stability overall. College graduates also tend to experience lower unemployment rates, especially during economic downturns.
A college degree functions like an investment. There is a 10% annual return for those with degrees, outperforming the average stock market return. That return doesn’t just show up in salary, but in promotions, networking opportunities and access to professional circles that are difficult to enter.
There’s also a less tangible side. College is often marketed as a time for growth. Clubs, student organizations, internships and research labs all support personal and professional development. It’s also where making friends can feel easier, built on shared environments and interests. These social networks can last lifetimes, even past graduation.
However, these benefits aren’t guaranteed.
Student debt in the United States has climbed to around $1.8 trillion, with the average borrower owing about $29,000. This debt delays homeownership, limits savings and pushes back major life milestones. For about 25% of grads, the return on investment is minimal or nonexistent.
Outcomes drastically depend on major, school and cost. Many graduates are underemployed, working outside their field or struggling to find jobs. This raises an important question: is it the degree or the skills that matter more? This question becomes more significant when seeing the recent prioritization toward experience or ability rather than your degree.
The field of study also plays a major role. The gap between STEM fields and lower-paying majors is significant, especially factoring in time and cost of the program. For example, someone studying medicine with hopes to become a doctor faces years of additional schooling and debt before seeing a return. Not everyone can afford to go straight to graduate school. Many work first, hoping an employer will eventually cover the cost of a master’s degree.
So will you make your money back? It depends. Consider the level of debt you’re in, the cost of your university’s in-state or out-of-state tuition and whether your program has strong job placement outcomes. Some schools and majors simply open more doors than others.
There’s also a plethora of long-standing myths about attending college. Many think either you pursue higher education or you are bound to fail. This narrative is outdated. Many people who never attended college or left due to cost have built successful, fulfilling lives through trades, entrepreneurship or their hustle.
Those who call college “useless” miss the point too. The real issue is the risk. Making a $100,000 decision at 17 years old is no less risky than gambling. You’re betting on yourself.
While parents may help guide the decisions, the loans are yours. The debt is yours. That reality reflects deeper structural weaknesses in the education system. Access, cost and outcomes don’t always align.
There is no straightforward answer. Who you are, where you come from and what you want all shape whether college is worth it. The question isn’t just if college pays off. It’s for whom and under what circumstances.
Safa Razvi is a sophomore studying journalism and serves as the Opinion Editor for The Daily Cardinal. Do you agree college is a gamble? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com
