Costs and Benefits of a College Education

The Costs and Benefits of a College Education

Assignment #2

You make it through High School, and receive your diploma. For four years, High School was the "real world" to you. You are then faced with numerous decisions, all of which could decide the rest of your life. Some of these decsions consist of continuing your education, what type of education you want to receive, how many years more, you will attend school, and what college to go to. The truth is that these decisions will affect your entire future.

Costs

-Tuition* -- Tuition is the amount of money that colleges charge for instruction and for the use of some facilities, such as libraries. Tuition can range from a few hundred dollars per year to more than $30,000. The least costly option for postsecondary education is typically a local community college where the average tuition and fees are under $1,700 per year. There are also many four-year colleges and universities that are relatively inexpensive.
-Fees -- Fees are extras students may have to pay, such as costs of school events, athletic activities, and clubs.
-Room -- Dorming or living in apartments near or on-campus can be very pricy, but can also save you loads of money on transportation.
-Board -- Generally Room & Board are put together, Board is what students get while living on campus: public bathrooms, showers, etc.
-Books -- College books can easily cost a student $1,000.
-Food
-Supplies
-Transportation
-Miscellaneous Expenses
-Time Away from Family

While the costs may seem scary, extremely high, and overpriced, the benefits of college could make debts and student loans well-worth it. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2006/0327/039.html
The link above shows an in-depth discussion of whether or not college is worth it.

Benefits
-More Job Choices
-Career necessity in today's business world
-Workers 18 and over with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. Workers with an advanced degree make an average of $74,602, and those without a high school diploma average $18,734.
-Learn more about the world you live in
-Expansion of social horizons
-Networking
-Provides everything you need to be all you can be

Looking at the expenses and benefits of college, it is easy to see that there are many pros and cons. While college is not for everyone, it's shown to pay off in the long run. Although the money coming right out of college by getting a job sounds appealing, the money you would make in 4 years after receiving a diploma and for the rest of your life is known to be as much as, or more than 30% more. College does not have to be extremely expensive, either. There are many options out there, such as Community Colleges. You need to choose the right decision for you, but never sell yourself short.

Andrea Sauers - Green Class Economics - Mr. Aroune
Assignment #2