Is a college education worth it?

A

ancient mariner

Member
I went back to school after I retired and studied computer science, history, pure math, business, photography, and writing. I made a good living as a profession photographer for American Studios, but the travelling was too much. Now I do these things for fun.
 

AJ attended USF for 10 years and is now a civil engineer with SWFTMD...Kat is a pilot with Southwest airlines. She quit Microsoft to fly the friendly skies. The VA paid for all of it. Mine too.
 
I trained several folks with college degrees during my working years and they all made more than me at the time so I would have to say yes, LOL!!!

These days I think that it is essential to have a four-year degree or some sort of skilled trade apprenticeship training.

I know in my own case, I would not be qualified to hold any of the positions that I had in my working years without a college degree today.
 
It depends, I have a practical streak that would make me think twice about getting a degree in some disciplines. In the early 70's I thought a degree was the only entry to a good job, it was for me. Now, I'm not so sure. Matter of fact, it is mildly depressing to see so many recent graduates working at lower wage jobs. Of course, that might be due to having degrees in fields that have never enjoyed high demand.

I do think there is a revival of sorts for apprenticeships in the trades. It's good to see young people interested in classic trades.
 
I really liked my college years, and I learned so much from some great profs that I did, in fact, apply to later life experiences. At some point, in college, I had a moment of clarity where I saw science in music, art in history, math in PE classes, everything was seen as totally inter-related, and, no, I wasn't on anything except life, itself. I think those who don't go to college are truly missing out on one of the more important things that can round you out and help you better appreciate all of the great things this world has to offer. For me, my college education was definitely worth it, in ways that certainly transcended any monetary income advantage I gained from my years in academia.
 
Lon said:
Yes it's worth it and not for just earning higher income but to produce a better well informed well adjusted person.
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Exactly. My grandfather always said that education is no load to carry and he believed in education for girls too.
However, it must be a broad education, not just training for a particular work skill that may disappear as technology advances.
Training is necessary but it must be rooted in a broad education.
 
When I enrolled in Big 10 Land Grant University, way back in the mid 60s, full time tuition was about $100 a quarter, so the "is it worth it" issue is kinda easy for me if we just go by $$$s.
 
Not everyone is suited for college. Doing an apprenticeship and learning a recognized trade is also a valuable experience and pays very well too. We need highly skilled technicians in today's world. If I were starting out today, I'd opt for maintenance technician on a wind farm or perhaps a solar farm.
 
Degree or apprenticeship...either one shows a prospective employer that you have stick-to-it-ive-ness, and that's an important quality to have.
 
Timetrvlr said:
Not everyone is suited for college. Doing an apprenticeship and learning a recognized trade is also a valuable experience and pays very well too. We need highly skilled technicians in today's world. If I were starting out today, I'd opt for maintenance technician on a wind farm or perhaps a solar farm.
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Right there with you. I worked as an apprentice until I was able to reach Journeyman status in heavy equipment and diesel repairs. This allowed me to earn a very comfortable living and played out nicely since the wife and I had feet of sand and liked to move around the country on a moments notice. My skill allowed me to always find a great paying job anywhere I went. Most of the time, I pulled down more money than the college educated higher ups.
One thing I found was people with certain degrees were limited as to where they could live and work, whereas no matter where in the country I went, there was always well paying heavy equipment, farm machinery and diesel work to be had.
 

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