Why is Earning a College Degree Important?
In the past, a high school education provided students with basic academic and life skills, and many students were employed in career fields soon after graduating from high school. Today, a bachelor’s degree is generally the minimum required for even entry level office work. Earning a college degree not only improves your chances of finding a job; it also increases your earnings. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college graduates earn an average of $23,291 more per year than their counterparts with just a high school diploma. Over the course of an employee’s working life, this translates to a difference of more than $900,000. What if I Can’t Afford College? States and the federal government offer different forms of financial aid programs to students completing their first college degree. Much of this aid comes in the form of grants or work-study programs that do not have to be repaid upon graduation. There are plentiful scholarships available based on a variety of factors including