I would say that yes -- you should go to college. No -- you should not pay an enormous amount for it.
I could have gone to a state school for a fraction of the cost it for a private college, and gotten to where I am now.
Because I went to a private school, I have an unbelievable amount of student loan debt. For me and some of my peers, it'll take us more than 10 years to pay it off. My biggest regret is not going to a cheaper state school or getting Gen Eds out of the way at a local community college. And now college degrees in many areas are irrelevant. I have many friends who graduated with totally different degrees to what they're doing now.
So no, it's not worth the the cost, and I don't believe it will pay off. But maybe I'm a little disgruntled about my student loans. :-P
@Darcy – Smaller colleges and universities can have tremendous advantages. And finishing college with no debt is a great accomplishment – that’s an experience many do not get.
@Karen – Totally agree. I’m concerned that as business demands more of young professionals, where will they get all this knowledge? There’s only so many hours in a day. Do certain things (like cursive writing) get abandoned? I don’t know the answer…but it’s certainly an interesting question.
Darcy - 11 years ago
I had to pay for my own college because my father was laid off my senior year in high school. So instead of going to the expensive state university like I had originally been planning, I attended a less expensive state college where I could live at home. While I do think I missed out on some of the experiences of living in a dorm, I got a great education in smaller classes and was able to work and pay for school as I went. I wouldn't be where I am today without a degree, but I also never had any student loan debt, nor did my parents.
I would say that yes -- you should go to college. No -- you should not pay an enormous amount for it.
I could have gone to a state school for a fraction of the cost it for a private college, and gotten to where I am now.
Because I went to a private school, I have an unbelievable amount of student loan debt. For me and some of my peers, it'll take us more than 10 years to pay it off. My biggest regret is not going to a cheaper state school or getting Gen Eds out of the way at a local community college. And now college degrees in many areas are irrelevant. I have many friends who graduated with totally different degrees to what they're doing now.
So no, it's not worth the the cost, and I don't believe it will pay off. But maybe I'm a little disgruntled about my student loans. :-P
@Darcy – Smaller colleges and universities can have tremendous advantages. And finishing college with no debt is a great accomplishment – that’s an experience many do not get.
@Karen – Totally agree. I’m concerned that as business demands more of young professionals, where will they get all this knowledge? There’s only so many hours in a day. Do certain things (like cursive writing) get abandoned? I don’t know the answer…but it’s certainly an interesting question.
I had to pay for my own college because my father was laid off my senior year in high school. So instead of going to the expensive state university like I had originally been planning, I attended a less expensive state college where I could live at home. While I do think I missed out on some of the experiences of living in a dorm, I got a great education in smaller classes and was able to work and pay for school as I went. I wouldn't be where I am today without a degree, but I also never had any student loan debt, nor did my parents.
In today's job market, it seems not only is a college degree needed but an advanced one is preferred.