DECEMBER 2013
IS COLLEGE WORTH IT?
continued Satisfied with College
FEATURE I 5
COLLEGE ENROLLMENT
after high school in both RHS and U.S. 7%
path.” Yu believes that deciding whether a Kelly Yu, ‘13, graduated from RHS with a set goal in mind: to get a degree college degree is worth the tuition is a that would allow her to work at Pixar, personal decision. “The word ‘worth’ is a subjective a job that required the knowledge term,” Yu said. “Personally, I think and skills only a degree could equip there is a certain level of caution that her with. However, because she is needs to be taken only at the when deciding beginning whether college of her is worth it or not. degree, If you are passionate It all depends on she isn’t what you’d like to learning the about anything, no do with your life, in-depth one has the right and how practical skills she a college degree needs to to call your degree fits into that work in her worthless. plan.” field. Kelly Yu, ‘13 RHS GRAD Yu observed “Right that collegenow, I am related decisions not learning often depended specific largely on the current job market. For skills that will help me for my future example, a usnews.com article stated career path,” Yu said. “Instead, I am training to think in the certain way that that technology-related fields are in high demand currently, meaning that is the foundation for more advanced degrees in those fields can possibly be courses I will take next semester that more sought after college graduation. will be relevant to my future career
However, Yu doesn’t believe that this is all that determines the worth of someone’s degree. “If you are passionate about anything, no one has any right to call your degree worthless,” Yu said. “Sure, it is easy to quantitate certain degrees as having more chance of getting a steady income based on the current job market, but it’s your life – do what you want to do, but have a plan B. We all need to strike a balance between what seems successful and what we actually enjoy doing and could do for years to come.” Yu is in support of students going to college regardless of projected “worth” or cost. Mr. Inman agrees. “Any time you can improve your education or skill set, it’s well worth the time and effort,” Mr. Inman said. “Researching the path your degree will take you and finding a cost-effective way of paying for is also time well spent.”
93% RHS students
32%
68% All students in U.S. Enrolling Not enrolling SOURCE: National Center for Educational Statistics
Earnings and unemployment in relation to education levels Unemployment rate in 2012 (%)
Median weekly earnings in 2012 ($)
2.5
Doctoral degree 2.1
3.5 4.5 6.2 7.7
1,624
Professional degree
1,735
Master’s degree
1,300
Bachelor’s degree
1,066
Associate’s degree
785
Some college, no degree
8.3
727 652
High school diploma Less than high school diploma
12.4
All workers: 6.8%
471 Graphic by Edgar Sokoli
All workers: $815 SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics