The Value of a College Education.

Essay by tdelong3University, Master'sA, July 2003

download word file, 5 pages 5.0

The Value of a College Education

"If you think the price of education is expensive, try the price of ignorance. You pay for ignorance everyday for the rest of your life." ~Anonymous

Parents often ponder the real value of a college education as college costs continue to grow and rates exceed inflation. Keeping in mind that one does not necessarily need to obtain a degree to "enjoy life", especially financially, the question is still asked, "what is the value of a college education"?

An individual gains value from a college education as s/he learns to think critically, apply knowledge, understand oneself, and recognize the value of others. Expectations are also reached and maintained by taking time to reflect and contemplate the surrounding environment, develop and use leadership skills, become comfortable in a vast array of social contexts, develop and/or polish basic communication skills such as speaking, reading writing, math, and information technology.

"Our children represent only 20 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future. They are our greatest investment, and we must help them understand the importance if investing in themselves" (Parish, 2001).

The true significance of a college education is indefinite. All of the values previously mentioned serve as "doors" that lead to opportunities. They provoke insights that one can only dream about and create situations that are impossible to anticipate. The true value of an education is unique to each individual; the benefits reaped will only match the initial investment. This fact makes the value of education distinctive from person to person, because everyone invests their time in a variety of ways.

Many people do not understand that a college education does not prepare someone for a career, profession, or occupation. It prepares you for a rich and satisfying life! The primary purpose...