Why College?

Going to college is not for everyone, but it is an option that every student should consider.Why? ...because there are so many types of colleges and college level programs available ....opportunities that will suit nearly every need or interest and the various talents and abilities found among individual high school students.

Who goes to college?

Persons from every background go to college—every nationality, ethnic group, religion, socio-economic class, age group, etc.In fact, most American colleges and universities seek diversity among their applicants.

Going to college may be an expectation or a dream that has been expressed in your household since childhood.However, the reasons for going to college are, perhaps, as varied as the personalities of college students themselves.

We can, then, answer the question, “Who goes to college?” by looking at the general benefits of a college education.Because there are educational, financial, and social benefits related to earning a college degree, we might say that those who go to college are individuals who:

• Wish to pursue academic studies in an intellectual environment beyond the high school level;
• Plan to pursue a career or employment opportunity that requires college-level training and skill development;
• Want to increase their earning potential;
• Seek a higher quality of life for themselves and their families;
• Wish to meet new people, explore new interests, and experience success in a college setting; and/or
• Desire the social and/or career status and mobility often associated with a college education.

College and Earning Potential

Data released in a 2004-05 report by the U.S. Department of Education indicates that college graduates holding a bachelor’s degree earned an average of 60% more than high school dropouts and 45% more than high school graduates in 2001. It is projected that, over a lifetime, the earnings of college graduates will be nearly double the lifelong earnings of those who have earned only a high school diploma.

Mean Annual Earnings by Education*
Education	Annual Income
No High School	$26,879
High School	$37,031
Some College	$44,312
Bachelor's Degree	$67,495

*2004 Mean Income (in dollars) in the United States
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

Note: - that those who have earned a professional degree show the highest projected average lifelong earnings—4.4 million dollars.However, college graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree showed a projected earning potential of 2.1 million dollars, as opposed to the high school graduate’s 1.2 million.

Lifelong Employment Earnings*
Education	Earnings (in millions of dollars)
Professional Degree	$4.40
Doctorate	$3.40
Master's Degree	$2.50
Bachelor's Degree	$2.10
Associate’s Degree	$1.60
High School Diploma	$1.20
Less than High School Diploma	$1.00

*Full-time, year-round employment over a period of 40 years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

College and Careers

By 2010, it is projected that overall employment in the United States will increase by 15%, with more than 20 million new jobs having been created since the year 2000. Most of these jobs will require a college education and many will require professional or terminal degrees.In other words, positions and careers for college graduates are expected to be the fastest growing category of employment in the country for the period of 2000-2010.

“College at Work:Outlook and Earnings for College Graduates, 2000-2010”, an article by Arlene Dohm and Ian Wyatt that appeared in the Fall, 2002 issue of the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, drives home this point. To read more about the 21st Century picture for employment of college graduates, check out the complete article at www.bls.gov.

The Lifestyle of College Graduates

Numerous studies have shown that college graduates enjoy many benefits that enhance the quality of their lives, long term.The primary motive for seeking admission to college should not be a quest for the good life. However, the quality of life—living a good life—is something that matters to most people.

Research findings indicate that college graduates have:

• Better employment and promotion opportunities;
• Better housing options;
• Greater access to quality health care and medical facilities; and
• More disposable income to spend for hobbies, leisure time activities, and vacations.

In addition, in comparison to the children of non-college graduates, the offspring of college graduates are found to:

• Attend better schools;
• Have greater exposure to career options;
• Be more likely to have traveled to a variety of places;
• Have access to a wider variety of extra- and co-curricular options, community service experiences, and the arts; and
• Be more likely to apply to college.