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.).

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I agree that success is subjective. Many people are successful even without going to college. However, you are missing sources to make up your claim. Adding credible sources to back up your claim allows you to make a stronger argument.

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.

Answer 4

This claim is misleading. Although a college education and degree can increase potential career opportunities, it is false that they guarantee success. Success depends on various factors, including skills, experience, networking, and personal drive. Although it may increase some people's success rates, a 2024 report from Strada Institute for the Future of Work revealed that 52% of recent four-year college graduates are underemployed one year after graduation, and 45% remain underemployed a decade later. Nothing is ever guaranteed there, for this claim is false. College can provide valuable skills and networking opportunities, but it does not guarantee a high-paying job or financial stability

Source: More than half of recent four-year college grads underemployed

Comments

I agree that the claim is misleading. There is no guarantee in life. And the sources you pointed out are credible. I liked the statistics you mentioned, " 52% of recent four-year college graduates are underemployed one year after graduation, and 45% remain underemployed a decade later." It shows that going to college doesn't just guarantee success.

Answer 5

This claim is way too broad to be true. This idea may have been instilled in our minds when we were young to stay on the path of going to college because it's the "right" thing to do. This title doesn't claim that those who don't go to college will not find success, because obviously that has been proven wrong by millions of people. To start, there is no guarantee with anything in this world and there is no concrete definition of "success". To some, life success is having a happy family, which school has nothing to do with. To others like I will address, success has to do with financial success and being wealthy and retiring early. According to a Medium article about attending college, the author describes some statistics involving a bachelor's degree. These numbers all favor those who graduated college, showing there is a higher likelihood of success by those who attend college: "Bachelor’s degree holders earn an average of 66 percent more than high school graduates. People with a bachelor’s degree will add $1 million to their total lifetime earnings compared to someone without a degree. High school graduates experience an unemployment rate 8 percent higher than college grads." (Medium). College is merely an investment for students who would like a boosted chance of success and obtaining a higher status in the future. There is of course no evidence that college guarantees success because that is not true, but college has evidence of significantly helping those who graduate in their careers.

Answer 6

This is a very blanket statement with no evidence provided by the creator of this claim. One may argue that college actually makes you less guaranteed success. Every person’s experience is different and to go and make a prominent statement such as this on guaranteed success is something that cannot be proven. An example of this is according to the site Student Loan Professor, the average American accumulates at least 30,000 of student debt. (What Is the Average Debt After College? A Primer for 2025). Claiming that all of those people who face debt come out the other side with success would not be true. Also success is an idea up for interpretation. It is an abstract idea so what one person might consider success might not mean success to another person and vice versa. Now this does not mean that if you go to college that you won’t be successful or that you don’t have a better chance at being what one could assume as financially successful but rather it is not a promise. This also gives the impression that college is the only way to success that is just not true. According to the site Multiverse, “Some professions – like doctors, lawyers, nurses, and teachers – require strict education requirements to enter the workforce. But many other fields don't require college degrees. It's largely up to employers to determine what education their employees need for a role.” (Do You Have to Go to College to Be Successful? - Multiverse)

Answer 7

The claim, "If you go to college, you will be guaranteed success," is partially true. Since there is no guarantee, but college does provide better jobs. And the word success is subjective. "College graduates earn an average of $78,000, while those with a high school diploma alone earn $45,000. That’s an annual wage premium of $33,000" (University, 2019). So, going to college does earn you more money; however, going to college doesn't guarantee getting a job. Furthermore, workers with a bachelor's degree are half as likely to go unemployed compared to workers with just a high school degree. And, " [for those with] a bachelor’s degree, you’re 47% more likely to have health insurance through your job—and your employer will contribute 74% more to your health care"  (University, 2019). Additionally, college graduates are more likely to own homes, and more likely to contribute to a 401(k)-type retirement plan. Lastly, "studies suggest that those who attend at least some college could live seven years longer than those with no post-high school education" (University, 2019).

Sources: 

https://rcu.edu/why-college-is-still-a-great-investment-in-your-future/