It costs a lot to go to college or university and the increasing costs have many wondering if there is real value to a college education. Is the cost of tuition, the time lost to full-time employment, and the thousands of dollars of debt worth the investment? Those are good questions and the answers may lie in a review of the value of a college education and rates of return on investment to both the individual and to society.
On the financial side of the equation there is significant data to suggest that on average and over time a college graduate will earn a great deal more than a high school graduate. The United States Census bureau estimates that over a lifetime a college graduate will earn on average about $2.1 million dollars compared to an average lifetime income of $1.2 million dollars for a high school graduate.
Compared with the cost of attending a four year public university of college at an average of about $10,000 per year and even adding the cost of lost working time, it is clearly of financial value to attend university.
But college graduates also enjoy other benefits in addition to the possibility of increased earning power. In 1998 the Institute for Higher Education Policy published a report that stated that people who completed a college or university program experienced a number of ancillary benefits. They included higher levels of saving, increased personal/professional mobility, improved quality of life for their offspring, better consumer decision making, and more hobbies and leisure activities.
Another report published by the Carnegie Foundation noted some other benefits of higher education that included the tendency for postsecondary students to become more open-minded, more cultured, more rational, more consistent and less authoritarian and that these benefits are also passed along to succeeding generations.
A college education can even improve your health and a number of research studies have shown positive correlation between completion of higher education and good health, not only for oneself, but also for one's children.
There is also benefit and value to the public from higher education. According to the Institute for Higher Education these benefits include increased tax revenues, greater workplace productivity, increased consumption, increased workforce flexibility, and decreased reliance on government financial support.
So it appears that even after rigorous scientific review and analysis there is still much value in a college education. But I think we knew that all along
This article courtesy of http://www.porsche-monster.com
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- How to Value Real Estate Investments[1]
- Baby Boomers Will Drive Real Estate Growth
- 101 Things that everyone should know about Real Estate and Real Estate Investments
- Appraising Properties: An Introduction To Real Estate Valuation
- The Truth About the Real Estate Bubble
- Learn Different Ways Of Real Estate Investing
- Real Estate Investing Principles
- Panama Real Estate Investing
Being Prepared is the Best Way to Deal With Hard Interview Questions
By: James Malervy | 05/12/2009It appears that now than ever before college students are filling out online job applications following graduation with anticipation of getting a job interview. Before students graduate college they need to have an extraordinary resume. Most colleges offer some type of resume writing seminar and students should be able to...
Where Has All the Trust Gone?
By: Chantel | 05/12/2009The communications and media industries have been dealt not one, but two body blows as we start to grow more frustrated with the tabloid press and misbehaving of unethical companies. Journalists are getting pulled up on what they write about celebrities - in addition, doctors and psychiatrists are concerned about the...
Retail Success in a Recession by Marc Bolland
By: Chantel | 05/12/2009After three years at Morrisons as chief executive, Marc Bolland will replace Sir Stuart Rose in the top job at Marks & Spencer. The news of his move first set Morrisons' market share back with £400m. But luckily, figures stabilised and Bolland can stand proud as out going head of a...
Doing What You Love, or Loving What You Do
By: Chantel | 05/12/2009We are in the midst of a global recession, if you have a job, count yourself lucky. Lucky or not, the UK workforce is not a happy one. The CIPD's most recent Employee Outlook survey unveiled that job satisfaction has plunged from 46% to 37% in 2009. Does loving your job...
How to Tell Someone at Work They Smell Bad
By: Kasan Groupe | 04/12/2009Every once in a while we all have to deal with some unpleasant odors; it’s just a fact of life. But when you’re at work, trapped in small office or tiny cubicle, you shouldn’t be forced to endure the rancid scent of a fellow co-worker. It’s just isn’t right or fair or decent. But this is obviously a difficult situation. You don’t want to hurt your colleague’s feelings and you must maintain your professionalism.
How to Deal With Irritating Co-Workers
By: Kasan Groupe | 04/12/2009At some point or another in your career, you’re going to have to deal with an annoying coworker. There are always going to be those aggravating people who constantly kiss up to the boss, hog the copy machine or proofread their work out loud. If you consider yourself to be a professional, then you’re going to have to learn to deal with these types of people in proficient, respectful manner. That might seem to be impossible, but check out my tips and suggestions below and be able to handle it.
Guided Meditation Techniques A Visit To A Country House
By: Michelle Spencer | 04/12/2009Here's a guided meditation technique that takes you on a trip round a beautiful country house… Imagine that you are visiting a beautiful country house ... a really beautiful old country house or stately home, on a warm, sunny, summer's afternoon. You are standing on the staircase that leads down into the entrance hall, one of those wide ceremonial types of staircase. And as you look down across the entrance hall, you can just glimpse, through the open doors opposite, a gravel drive, and the sunl
Top 6 Benefits to Pursuing a Culinary Career on the West Coast
By: Lecordonbleu | 04/12/2009West Coast culinary careers run the gamut within the food industry, and each individual role provides hundreds of benefits. Here are just six of the many benefits to having a culinary career on the West Coast.
History Of Porsche
By: Jeff Slokum | 04/10/2005 | AutomotiveThe history of Porsche began in 1948, June 8th to be exact. That is when the first two seater 356 was produced. There were 51 hand built Porsche 356/2 automobiles built in Austria. This model had a 40 hp 1.1 liter center...
Teeth Whitening With Tray Based Systems
By: Jeff Slokum | 25/09/2005 | FitnessHundreds of tooth whiteners available on the market. These products range in price from several dollars up to hundreds of dollars. You can have teeth whitening done.
Oil - The Lifeblood Of Your Car
By: Jeff Slokum | 22/09/2005 | AutomotiveTo make it home. Unfortunately, she didn't. The engine seized up, never to run again. What a foolish and costly mistake. The simple fact is that the engine in your car.
How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Band
By: Jeff Slokum | 18/09/2005 | MarriageThan ever before. This leads to a small dilemma, however. With so many different styles now being offered, how do you know whether the band you choose is truly unique?.
Culinary Herb Gardening
By: Jeff Slokum | 15/09/2005 | GardeningChops, or cutting a bit of that fresh dill for that flounder you're baking, or pulling some fresh oregano leaves to add to that spaghetti sauce or snipping some fresh basal.
Marketing Yourself As An Actor Or Actress
By: Jeff Slokum | 13/09/2005 | Art & EntertainmentThey see on a resume and call you in for an interview based on those things. Your resume is a first impression and it's doing all the initial talking for you. Make it one.
How To Get The Best Price For A Cruise
By: Jeff Slokum | 10/09/2005 | TravelWhy you can't. Perhaps you've thought that the cruise of your dreams is out of reach financially. You're in for a surprise. The cruise industry is one of the fasting.