Question

If you go to college you will be guaranteed success

Comments

No, look at Andrew Tate, he's a world-champion kickboxer who never went to college, and he's worth over 355 million.

https://www.sssamiti.org/andrew-tate-net-worth/#:~:text=Andrew%20Tate%20Net%20Worth%202022%20Earnings&text=Andrew%20Tate%20is%20an%20American,thousand%20children%20study%20with%20him.

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@abelma2 nice comment. Next time, rather than add a comment to the claim, please "answer" the claim so that you'll be able to get upvotes and have your answer rated as the "best answer."

Answer 1

This claim has some truth. Going to college will increase the chances of success, but it does not guarantee success. There are millions of college students around the world and majority of them will go on to be middle class citizens. A very small percentage will actually obtain great success. In addition, cases such as Steve Jobs who dropped out of college but still went on to be very successful debunk this claim.

Comments

I agree with this answer, however without an educational background, the odds are much more against someone being self-made successful. Something else to keep in mind is that the word "successful" is subjective to the person. But overall, good answer.

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Nice to see some comments and personal opinions @andriannac and kylieplumb123. Keep in mind, fact-checks should include source links that provide supporting evidence on how you rate the claim (true, not misinformation; false, misinformation; etc.).

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I agree, there is truth to the claim, however it fails to highlight that success is never guaranteed, higher education simply gives people the tools to reach success easier. Your point about college increasing chances of success without guaranteeing it is well-taken. To strengthen this argument, consider adding specific statistics, like from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It might be worth mentioning that for every Steve Jobs, there are thousands of successful entrepreneurs and executives who did complete college degrees. A balanced view could acknowledge both paths to success.

Answer 2

Success is subjective. If by success you mean that you earn enough money to pay for more than just the basic necessities to live, then no it is not guaranteed if you go to college you just have a higher chance of being successful because you'll be able to work higher paying jobs depending on what you go to college for. There are many examples of people who have succeeded in life without going to college. Look at any popular social media star or actor or singer.

Comments

I like your explanation, but it's missing sources to prove your fact-check rating (also missing; see the sidebar of the page). Keep in mind, fact-checks should include source links that provide supporting evidence on how you rate the claim (true, not misinformation; false, misinformation; etc.).

Answer 3

People are not guaranteed success if they go to college, and people are also not guaranteed failure if they do not attend college. While a college degree can increase earning potential and career opportunities, it does not guarantee success. A 2024 study by NYU analyzing 5.8 million Americans found that a college degree yields an annual rate of return of 9-10% throughout an individual's career

https://www.thinkimpact.com/average-college-graduate-salaries/

A 2024 report from Strada Institute for the Future of Work and the Burning Glass Institute reveals that 52% of recent four-year college graduates are underemployed one year after graduation. Even more concerning, 45% remain underemployed a decade after graduating.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/academics/2024/02/22/more-half-recent-four-year-college-grads-underemployed 

https://stradaeducation.org/report/talent-disrupted/

While a college education can provide valuable skills, knowledge, and opportunities, it does not guarantee success. Success is multifaceted and can be achieved through various paths. The decision to pursue higher education should be based on individual goals, circumstances, and career aspirations.