Traditionally we are always told that education is the key to success in life. So is this old saying still as relevant in 2019 as it was generations ago? So to answer this we will look at what is involved in getting a college degree and what it can do for you as well as what the alternative career options might be.
How Much Will It Cost
A college degree has various costs attached to it and it’s difficult to pin down an average cost as there are so many variables. Tuition fees vary greatly as private universities on average cost of around $35k and some costing much more, on the other hand, if you are an in-state student at a public school then you will be paying less than $10k. On top of this, there are books, rent, food and socializing.
What Will It Get You
What is the advantage of getting a degree anyway? It has been well documented that the average graduate can earn over double what someone without a higher education can. But you should also take into account that you will have to pay a huge amount to get through college and is this going to be worth it to you. This can be a very personal decision to make as the money certainly is better in most cases but is it really what you want to do with your life and there are other options alternative to university study, which we look at later on.
What Is A College Degree Anyway
There are various types of degrees available and you should be aware that they are not all the same. An associate degree lasts two years compared to a four-year bachelor’s degree. Then there are undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, what is an undergraduate is a question that many ask when first thinking about higher education, and it’s simply the type of degree you can do without any other degrees completed and a post-graduate course is one that’s done after undergraduate studies, such as a Masters Degree or Doctorate (Ph.D.).
Are All Degrees Equal
Well, not all degrees will give you the same advantages in life, there are vocational degrees, for example, that qualifies you for a specific job, such as a teaching degree. Whereas other degrees such as business qualification you can end up working in almost any industry and more specific degrees such as law can have you working for an employer all across the industry sectors.
What Other Options Are There
Of course, you don’t have to go to college, there are many other career paths open to you. You could start your own business and the best time may be to do this when you are young as if it doesn’t work out you can always go to college later. You can work your way up in the job, many places offer in-house training and management preparation schemes that offer you an internal path that is rewarding for company loyalty.