By: Michael Russell
Are you a high school student wondering if you need to go to college? Are you an adult wondering if a bachelor degree is worth the time? Are you a senior citizen considering a college education in
Are you a high school student wondering if you need to go to college? Are you an adult wondering if a bachelor degree is worth the time? Are you a senior citizen considering a college education in your golden years? If any of these are true of you or if you are simply someone without a bachelor degree, even if you never thought about it, this just might change your mind.
Why get a bachelor degree? Follow the money. According to the University of North Texas website "Experts who have researched the performance and job success of college graduates have concluded that, nationwide, college graduates with a bachelor degree earn about 80 percent more per year than those who only complete high school. In fact, those whose education stops with a high school diploma may see their real wages decline over time". What that means is that if you don't get your bachelor degree, not only will you make 20% less than those who have one, the longer you work, the less you will make. As a senior citizen without a college degree, your chances of meaningful employment with competitive wages are very slim.
According to a U.S. Department of Commerce report on Income in the United States in 2004, people with a high school education were earning $36,700 per year. (High school drop-outs made even less.) Those who had some college education but no degree were earning $43,275 per year. Those who had persevered and graduated with a bachelor degree were making $65,442 per year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over a 40 year professional career, a person with a bachelor degree will make almost a million dollars more than one without. What would you do with an extra million dollars?
Studies by the Institute for Higher Education Policy have shown that college graduates have more savings, experience more personal and professional growth and enjoy more hobbies, vacations and leisure time. They make more informed consumer decisions and their children have a higher quality of life. Basically, college graduates have more money, better jobs, more fun, happier, healthier children and get ripped off less often. They are also more likely to contribute to society, build more successful businesses and stimulate the economy and less likely to live on government aid.
Even though the cost of obtaining a bachelor degree in time and dollars is quite large, the obvious financial benefits far outweigh the expense and inconvenience. According to Ibid a college degree can "decrease prejudice, enhance knowledge of world affairs and enhance social status". A report published by the Carnegie Foundation agrees. It states that people with bachelor degrees are more culturally aware, rational, open-minded, more consistent and less dictatorial. It is even shown that they pass these characteristics on to their children making our world a better place.
In general, those with a bachelor degree have a more optimistic outlook on life and with good reason. A person with a bachelor degree has more opportunity, a happier healthier family and a belief that they can make a difference in the world. Oh yeah and they make lots, lots more money.
Michael Russell
Your Independent Bachelor Degree guide.
