Importance of College Education in America - Essay Example

Some adults still hope to succeed in life without spending time and money on higher education. In fact, college education pays back twice because it significantly improves employment chances, boosts annual income, and stimulates self-realization in the future.

It is a fact that people with college degrees have more chances to be employed than their peers who end up with a high school diploma only. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of unemployment among people who have less than a high school diploma merits 11% of the US population. This number can be compared to the 7% unemployment rate among people who attended college and the 5.4% rate among those who have an Associate's degree (US Bureau of Labor). Unemployed people struggle to survive in a world where wellbeing and poverty rarely occur together. People without a college degree have fewer chances to get high-paid jobs or managerial positions at work. Since college education boosts employment opportunities, it is a significant reason to study hard for the sake of a better future.

There is a positive correlation between education and the median weekly income of each person. For instance, people who have less than a high school diploma earn $472 a week which is hardly enough for decent life (US Bureau of Labor). People who have high school diplomas earn $651 on average while people with a college education can increase their earnings to an average of $777 weekly (US Bureau of Labor). These numbers prove that people with a college education have more chances to succeed financially. It is obvious that people need money for living; people who invest in their education get more opportunities to earn enough to support their families, care about health, nutrition, and entertainment in life. These things are vital because they make people feel secure and comfortable on their way to success.

Better income and employment positively influence life satisfaction due to the fact that people realize their potential and enjoy what they do in life. Without a college education, people can hardly realize their life ambitions, set career goals, and get enough resources for a happy life. According to Pascarella and Terenzini, people with a college degree tend to be more satisfied with their work than those without it. According to their research, college education influences «job prestige, job autonomy, nonroutine work and earnings» which impact the individual perception of work (Pascarella and Terenzini 535). As far as people spend most of the time of the day at work, it is really important to treat it positively. Moreover, colleges improve background knowledge and broaden the horizons of every student to let them enjoy life in different dimensions and pay enough attention to self-development in the future. Read More