{"id":45,"date":"2016-08-29T13:27:14","date_gmt":"2016-08-29T13:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/college101\/?p=45"},"modified":"2024-01-30T15:27:59","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T20:27:59","slug":"degree-pay-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/college101\/degree-pay-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Does a degree pay off?"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were over 20 million students expected to attend American colleges and universities in Fall 2015. And with the average cost of tuition, fees, room and board ranging from around $16,000 to $23,000 per year, most of those students will graduate with debt. In fact, according to Mark Kantrowitz, a nationally recognized expert on student financial aid, scholarships and student loans, 2016 grads who borrowed to finance their degrees will leave college owing an average of $37,173 per student. With the rising cost of an education, many question the value of a bachelor\u2019s degree. Does a degree pay off? Kantrowitz says research shows that in spite of the cost, attaining a bachelor\u2019s degree is still a solid investment.<\/p>\n

Opportunities and Earning<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The numbers are clear: A bachelor\u2019s degree will earn you more money.
\nBased on economy and job projections calculated by Georgetown University, by 2018 approximately 63 percent of jobs will require some college education or a degree. In their article, \u201cDo the Benefits of College Still Outweigh the Costs?<\/a>,\u201d Jaison Abel and Richard Deitz reported that over the past 40 years, those with a bachelor\u2019s degree earned 56 percent more than high school graduates. They also concluded that the economic benefits of earning a bachelor\u2019s degree lasted a lifetime, with degreed workers earning over $1 million more than high school grads over the course of their careers.<\/p>\n

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, starting salaries are rising, with undergraduate degrees pulling in an average of $43,000 in 2015 – 7.5 percent higher than 2014.<\/p>\n

NCES also reports that college grads have lower unemployment rates than those of high school graduates, with bachelor\u2019s degree holders, ages 24-65, at 3.4 percent in 2014, compared to high-school grads at 7.4 percent.<\/p>\n

Where you go matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kantrowitz says that a degree is a good investment, but it does depend on what and where you study.
\n\u201cIt depends on the choice, rather than the necessity,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you\u2019re pursuing a less lucrative major, you can still get a quality education at a less expensive state college. You can stack the deck against yourself by going to a more expensive college.\u201d<\/p>\n

Networking Opportunities<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Other benefits of a bachelor\u2019s degree appear to be the networking opportunities of living and studying in a campus community, where students not only make friends and meet potential mates, but also make business connections. Harvard Business School estimates that 65 to 85 percent of jobs are acquired through networking, which, again, brings into play the importance of where you study.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference between Ivy League schools and state colleges is not faculty or facilities,\u201d Kantrowitz said. \u201cThe difference is the students. That\u2019s why you should visit a school while it\u2019s in session, so you can see how you\u2019ll fit in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Internships<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many college students complete internships while working on their bachelor\u2019s degree, which provide valuable experience and networking opportunities. Jacob Wortock, Employment & Internship Coordinator at SPC\u2019s Seminole Campus, said internships are a gateway into your field of study.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of employers are looking for experience,\u201d he said. \u201cAn internship will allow you to apply your classroom learning in a real-world situation, hone your professional self and build a network of connections in your field. In order to break into a field of study, an internship is pivotal.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pay Off<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Abel and Dietz report that considering all costs, a bachelor\u2019s degree has, on average, offered a return of around 14 to 15 percent annually. Considering that an investment in stocks yields around 7 percent annually and bonds yield an annual return of about 3 percent, the benefits of an investment in a bachelor\u2019s degree double that of the stock market. Kantrowitz agrees that it does pay off.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the average, a degree pays for itself in about ten years. It\u2019s not just a good investment. There is no better investment.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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