Higher Education: Reaching the Highest Altitude

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PURSUING A HIGHER DEGREE

Higher education 's role in the society has changed in coherence with the demands of the public . In more recent times , higher education itself has become a major economic power and a source of most scientific and technological progress . However , the increasing cost of pursuing higher education has been deterrent in deciding whether to continue education beyond high school . One would question whether the high cost of tuition the opportunity cost of opting college over full-time employment , and the amassing of debt is , in

the long run worth the investment . It is especially an issue to people who belong to low-income families who barely could live decently as days go by . That is , would they rather send their children to college and go hungry or just work now and be able to survive their daily needs . This would lend credence to the argument on why one must opt to pursue a degree

A number of factors shows why higher education is imperative for the individual as well as to the society he belongs to . Pursuing higher education has its economic and social importance

THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Researches show that the rate of return on investment in higher education is high enough to warrant the financial burden associated with pursuing college degree . On average , college graduates do earn more than high school graduates . According to the Census Bureau , over an adult 's working life , high school graduates earn an average of 1 .2 associate 's degree holders earn about 1 .6 million and bachelor 's degree holders earn about 2 .1 (Day Newburger , 2002

These substantial differences in lifetime earnings put the costs of college in perspective - that is , from a realistic point of view . From tuition , allowances and lodging expenses the cost of higher education is significant . The earnings disparity between the high school graduates and the degree holders would be sufficient to warrant the cost (Day Newburger , 2002

OTHER BENEFITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The most effervescent institution there could probably be is the University . It is where ingenious minds and bodies are found . They produce scientific innovations and medical information they hone novelists and poets they produce athletes and scholars , managers and entrepreneurs . At best , colleges provide a setting for thought and analysis . They in some way generate a public sphere for people to learn and discover

Degree Holders also enjoy benefits beyond increased income . The Institute for Higher Education Policy reviews the individual benefits that college graduates enjoy , including higher levels of saving increased personal /professional mobility , improved quality of life for their offspring , better consumer decision making , and more hobbies and leisure activities (Institute for Higher Education Policy , 1998

According to a report published by the Carnegie Foundation non-monetary individual benefits of higher education include the tendency for postsecondary students to become more open-minded , more cultured , more rational , more consistent and less authoritarian these benefits are also conceded along to succeeding generations (Rowley...