Essay Sample: Is a College Education Necessary?

Is a college education necessary? In today’s society, there are two types of people. There is the type of people who just have a high school education and no further education and are thriving. Then there are those who have both a high school and a college education and they, like the other group, are also flourishing, maybe even better. In five sources written from a series of authors, they all list the pros and cons of going to college. One of which just bedazzles the idea of not going to college and going onto a career. Even though there are other options, like trade school and internships, and some people believe  that college is a waste of time and money,  I believe that everyone deserves a college education because it can increase your future earnings, promote non-college acceptance careers and college education is needed in order to be a successful, intellectual and happier society. 

In an article written by Elizabeth Hernandez titled, “Is a College Degree Worth It for Coloradans? Yes, New State Data Says, but at What Cost?,” Hernandez briefly goes over why it’s important for people to go to college who have dreams about furthering their careers. She says, “Americans with post-high school education are more likely to find jobs and their lifetime earnings are also ‘significantly higher’ compared to those who only complete high school…” This is significant because she explains how a college education can help your lifetime earnings instead of just your temporary earnings with no college degree. Hernandez goes on to say “The robust data shows that it’s worth it. Knowing how much you are likely to earn helps Coloradans choose the right education pathway that harnesses their unique talent and aptitudes…hold ourselves accountable as we look to reduce costs and increase the value of higher education.” This also goes on to say that college is worth it. If you know the output of what you put into college, it will make students more likely go. Some students don’t know that they can do what they love as a career and they don’t even try college; they just join the workforce instead.

In a source written by David Leonhardt, he explains why it’s necessary for people like cashiers to gain a college education. He says, “Construction workers, police officers, plumbers, retail salespeople and secretaries, among others, make significantly more with a degree than without one…[e]ducation helps people do higher-skilled work, get jobs with better paying companies or open their own businesses.” This shows that it’s important for even the people who can get by without a college degree to gain one even with a small job. Getting an education is important in this sense because when you join a career and in order to get a promotion, you have to have a certain college education no matter the amount of experience you have. 

In a study conducted by the Pew Research for Demographic Trends about College Worth, it states the statistics of what a college education does to society. “Among survey respondents who graduated from a four-year college, 74% say their college education was very useful in helping them grow intellectually; 69% say it was very useful in helping them grow and mature as a person; and 55% say it was very useful in helping them prepare for a job or career.” When people go to college, they are helping society become more intellectual by getting jobs that can benefit yourselves and/or others. 

If you have a college education, you are more likely to succeed in the world physically, emotionally, and financially. When you don’t have a college degree, you can’t really succeed financially. When you do, you benefit yourselves, but most of all, the world around you.