EA 2020

I have heard many people grumbling about the effectiveness of a college education. They often gripe that it is “just a piece of paper” or that “you do not learn anything in college anyway.” Many try to make the case that a college degree is not necessary for entry into the corporate world based on anecdotes about people like Bill Gates who achieved extraordinary heights without actually having a degree. That is all very cute, but it just does not fit in to what is happening in the real world. College does not just teach you the skills you need to succeed, it opens doors to opportunities you would not have without that “piece of paper.” More importantly, it helps you to make more money than you otherwise would.

According to statistics from the US Census Bureau, a person with a high school education can expect to earn an average of $34,000 a year. That is not a lot of money. It is difficult to raise a family on that salary. It ensures that you will be stuck doing relatively menial tasks for your entire professional career as others with education pass you by with promotions and advancement. Going back to school for an associate’s degree, the simplest college degree to obtain, raises the average salary $46,000. That is a jump of $12,000 a year just for completing two years of college. Can you see how that would add up over a 20 year span? But why stop there?

A bachelor’s degree holder can expect to earn an average of $65,000 a year. That is $31,000 more than the person with only the high school diploma. The bachelor’s degree allows a person to be considered for professional positions. These are the kinds of positions that are considered a “career,” and not just a “job.” These positions have the potential to lead to management, and almost guarantee a good worker a steady living with regular career progress. The person with the bachelor’s degree might not be any smarter than the person with the high school diploma, but that “piece of paper” shows that he has applied himself for several years to learning a subject and how to think critically. This is what an employer needs to see when hiring people for positions that require responsibility.

Going beyond the bachelor’s level can lead to even larger gains. A master’s degree will earn you an average of $83,000 a year. A master’s degree shows you to be extremely knowledgeable in your field, and shows that you can put in the time and effort to see something through to the end. A master’s degree will put a competent person into management after a few years of experience. A post graduate degree is worth even more.
A person with a doctorate can expect to earn $103,000 a year. These are the people who teach others about a subject, and who are recognized as experts in the field.

A college degree is much more than just a “piece of paper.” A college degree opens doors and earns you more money. Isn’t that why we work?

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