Why college isn't worth the money?

Question

As a college student, do we really need to be paying all this money?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/caseybond/2015/09/04/why-college-isnt-worth-the-money/

Answer 1

The premise of the article was to persuade readers to not go to a prestigious college, just to end up with a lot of debt. It also discusses the age-old argument that you don't need to go to college to have a good or steady income. The article talks about how although people who go to college get better earnings, those who start right out of High School get a head start, so most times degree earners are earning the same amount as those with just a diploma. This is important to mention because degree earners also have to pay their loans, which makes them unable to save much of their income, unlike people with just diplomas.

This article seems to be opinionated, given many of the statements beginning with "I think". Minus the possible bias of the article, it uses various sources to fight the arguments, which gives depth to their claims.

According to the Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart, Forbes falls under the "middle or balanced bias" portion, meaning it is a reputable news source.

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/student-resources/is-a-college-degree-worth-it/

The article above, again from Forbes hints at the idea that college is unneeded in this economy.

Comments

You raise some valid points about the article's perspective on the value of a prestigious college education versus the potential burden of student debt. It’s true that many people who enter the workforce right after high school can gain valuable experience and start earning sooner, which can lead to financial stability without the strain of loan repayments.

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I think that the conclusion you drew is correct. Finding an updated version of the same source's original claim is a good idea but giving another source's views on the idea is probably not a bad idea. Also, I don't think that a source being rated a central means that it's necessarily reputable as pointed in this article by Julie Mastrine on Allsides, media bias site. https://www.allsides.com/blog/center-media-bias-rating-doesnt-mean-what-you-think-it-means

Answer 2

The statement of getting an education still remains as yes. Most people still want to receive and pursuit a higher education, due to the likelihood of having a successful future but there are ways and paths for getting an education at a much more affordable price. State school and private school are priced at very different levels but “most students are not paying [the sticker] price,”(CNBC). Many first-year students have financial aid as well as grants/scholarships they can apply for to reduce costs. That being said college realistically isn't the right path for everyone especially those that are aware they would like to follow trades and go straight into the work force and become self-educated. Though it is still statistically proven that high paying jobs due normally require a higher education.

https://www.cnbc.com/select/why-college-is-still-worth-it/

https://thefga.org/research/students-right-to-know-states-empowered-students/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyfe4BhAWEiwAkIL8sHUU0wV4RV34I_G566mgbfXpWZqXHlwt_0AgMD3txTwou6xgGsFY3xoCXdQQAvD_BwE

Comments

I agree, it does cost a ton of money to get any sort of higher education but most people tend to go to college in order to gain higher and more experience needing jobs to gain more money. although people will tend to go to alternative schools with cheaper pricing to get that exact education you'd find at some other costly institution. The sources that you used to answer this claim is very good and gives a solid amount of evidence.

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Your response highlights some important points about the value of education and the different paths available. It’s true that many people still view higher education as a key to a successful future, and the options for financial aid can significantly alleviate costs.

However, it’s also vital to recognize that the traditional college route isn’t the best fit for everyone. As you mentioned, trade schools and vocational training offer excellent opportunities for those who prefer hands-on work and can lead to well-paying jobs without the burden of student debt.

Answer 3

The article makes the claim that college isn't worth the money. Casey Bond explains that they regret going to a prestigious school and how their "employer could not have cared less where they received their degree—just that they had one." Making the claim that college isn't worth it is completely subjective. Yes, going to college is a privilege and not for everyone, but it more than definitely opens doors for many people. The idea that people are attending college just for the degree is completely false. I would argue that it's not the only reason people choose to pursue a higher education. College is an experience for people to live independently, experiment through different hobbies, and have the resources and support to find their passion. The fact that the bond stated that their employer just cared that they had a degree completely goes against their initial claim. No, you don't need to go to a prestigious school to figure out what you want to pursue, but in this day and age, working industries still care about their employees attending college.

This article is opinionated and biased, which states that it can't be true or false.