Obtaining your bachelor’s degree 

used to be a way for students to stand out from others in a highly

competitive job market. As of 2015, however, one in three adults have earned a four-year degree, making it
common to be one of many in a pool of job applicants with this educational achievement. 

Does this mean that a bachelor’s degree doesn’t have value? Is it even important in today’s world of start-
up entrepreneurs and self-employed business owners? Is it a worthwhile investment considering that
student loan debt may be involved?

The answer, ultimately, is that it really depends on you. Your unique life goals, including your career
aspirations, will determine if the bachelor’s degree is a good fit. 

For many people, though, earning a college degree is important to their success in today’s market. Let’s
look at the benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree, and how your personal educational goals and lifestyle
choices should be considered in making this major decision.

1. Increased Access to Job Opportunities

Having a bachelor’s degree opens up rewarding opportunities that might have otherwise been inaccessible.
College graduates see 57 percent more job opportunities than non-graduates, and it is estimated that, by
2020, two-thirds of all jobs will require postsecondary education. A degree enables you to qualify for these
additional opportunities and offers you more flexibility in where you choose to work.

Not only are there more jobs available to degree holders than high school graduates, but the existing jobs
are also more accessible. According to research by Burning Glass Technologies, two million new jobs
posted online per quarter require a bachelor’s degree or higher. For job seekers, these online job postings
are a primary tool for finding and applying to available roles. While more than 80 percent of all job openings
for workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher are advertised online, only 50 percent of jobs requiring a
high school diploma are posted online, making it harder for these workers to connect with prospective
employers.

Pursuing a college education also expands your access to opportunities by connecting you to a lifelong
network of colleagues, advisors, professors, and mentors. Over the course of your career, this network can
open doors and connect you to industry leaders with whom you can share ideas and explore new ventures.

2. Preparation for a Specialized Career

As the world changes, the job market changes with it. Technology, education, and health are three of the
most rapidly growing fields for a good reason; they evolve so often that only the most accomplished
individuals can do the work. Getting a bachelor’s degree will help you learn the specific skills and habits
needed to make a living in these areas. 

While not all degrees offer a direct route to a particular job (English, philosophy, or political science, for
example), many are created with a specific career path in mind. An educational degree, for example, is
designed as a funnel for teaching jobs; some health degrees also have very specialized jobs waiting at the
end for those who complete them.

3. Increased Marketability

Having a bachelor’s degree will keep you in demand as the need for skilled, college-educated workers
continues to rise. 

Over 80 percent of jobs in four of the fastest-growing occupations—healthcare, STEM, education, and
government services—demand postsecondary education. Thus, it’s estimated that, by 2020, there will be
13 million available jobs requiring bachelor’s degrees. Although 36 percent of adults ages 25 to 36 currently
hold a college degree, the United States will still fall short of meeting employer demand by five million
qualified workers by 2020.

On your path to earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll gain skills that will give you a competitive advantage in
the job market. Today’s employers are most interested in applicants with exceptional communication,
leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. 
In college, you’ll have access to rigorous coursework and experiential learning opportunities that will arm
you with these skills to make you more attractive to employers.

4. Increased Earning Potential

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has shared the average salary for those with various education levels, and
the data is clear: The greater your level of education, the higher you can expect your salary to be.

The difference in earning power is striking: 

 Those who have not earned a high school diploma can expect to earn an average of $520 per
week, or $27,040 annually. 
 Those with high school diplomas can expect to earn an average of $712 weekly, or $37,024
annually. 
 Associate degree holders earn an average of $836 per week, or $43,472 per year.

Earning a bachelor’s degree brings with it a substantial jump in pay. Bachelor’s degree holders make an
average of $1,173 per week, or $60,996 each year. That is more than $17,500 more than associate degree
holders and nearly $25,000 more than high school graduates.   

5. Economic Stability

Of the 11.6 million jobs created since 2010, over 8.4 million jobs—95 percent—have gone to bachelor’s
degree holders. Meanwhile, jobs for high school graduates have only grown by 80,000. It makes sense,
then, that bachelor’s degree holders have a significantly lower rate of unemployment than high school
graduates. In 2014, the unemployment rate for 25- to 34-year-olds with bachelor’s degrees was just below
four percent, while over 12 percent of high school graduates in that age range remained unemployed.

Consequently, individuals without a degree are three times more likely to be living in poverty. According to
Pew Research Center, only six percent of bachelor’s degree holders live below the poverty line, while an
alarming 22 percent of people without a college degree live in poverty. Earning a bachelor’s degree will
help afford you economic stability and security for the future.

6. Networking Opportunities

In today’s job market, building and maintaining a professional network is critical to success. Certain aspects
of getting a degree, from interning to volunteering, are designed to help you meet people who can help
design your future. 

Taking advantage of the various job fairs and career development resources that college students have
available is a great way to put that degree to work, as well. 

When you get ready to finish your degree and head out into the world, degree earners can expect a level of
support from their mentors and professors that isn’t available anywhere else.

7. A Pathway to Advancement 

Have you considered a career as a physical therapist, head librarian, or nurse anesthetist? These popular
jobs usually require a bachelor’s degree as the first step before going on to get another, more-advanced
degree. 

You’ll also need a bachelor’s before any Master’s or PhD, as well as the ever-popular MBA. Even if you’re
not sure you’re up for the entire career path, earning a bachelor’s degree now puts you in the driver’s seat
should you decide to pursue it later.

8. Personal Growth and Improved Self-Esteem

If you aren’t looking for the type of career that often comes from a four-year education, you may be
questioning the value of a bachelor’s degree. 
There’s more to it than the paper, however; many students have found the experience to be deeply and
personally rewarding, as well. In addition to gaining skills like writing, time-management, and working on a
team, there are opportunities to polish presentation skills and interact with professors and students who
will, later on, become part of your valuable career network. 

Earning a degree is empowering; it boosts confidence and provides a sense of achievement. The pursuit of
higher education also equips you to master complex challenges and overcome adversity, contributing to
increased happiness and reduced stress. This may be why bachelor’s degree holders report higher levels
of self-esteem than high school graduates.

College graduates are also more likely to be involved in their communities. Compared to non-degree
holders, they are more likely to vote, volunteer, donate to charities, join community organizations, and
participate in educational activities with their children. As more active citizens, bachelor’s degree holders
contribute to a stronger, more engaged community to provide opportunities for future generations.

9. Higher Job Satisfaction

Research shows that having a bachelor’s degree leads to greater long-term job satisfaction. The
differences between degree and non-degree holders are stark:

 Eighty-six percent of college graduates consider their job a career or a stepping stone to their
career, while only 57 percent of high school graduates say the same.
 The majority of bachelor’s degree holders—60 percent—say they are highly satisfied and their job is
more than just a paycheck. Only 38 percent of degree holders report the same level of satisfaction.
 Forty-two percent of high school graduates say their job is “just to get them by,” compared to 14
percent of bachelor’s degree holders.

Bachelor’s degree holders also enjoy more on-the-job perks that contribute to a sense of career
satisfaction. In 2015, 52 percent of full-time workers with a degree were offered retirement benefits,
compared to only 43 percent of individuals without a degree.

10. Positive Return on Investment

The cost of a degree may be daunting, especially with many students on the news sharing student loan
woes and not feeling like the job market is friendly to their specific degree. While no one can argue that
some degrees aren’t that easy to employ, many college grads are finding the ROI of a bachelor’s degree to
be positive. 

Young adults express that their degrees are a good value, with 72 percent believing that their degree has
paid off, and an additional 17 percent believing that it will very soon. This trend stays steady among those
who borrowed for school, as well. Plus, there are many programs available to help pay for higher
education; scholarships, grants and tuition reimbursement programs are all designed to help students avoid
debt.

Using a Bachelor’s Degree to Your Advantage

Whether you are looking for more upward mobility in your career, a new opportunity to learn and grow
professionally, or a better life for your family through a higher annual salary, the reasons for exploring
a bachelor’s degree program are many.

In today’s market, the cost of not having a college degree is rising, as non-graduates face a lack of job
options and increased economic instability. 

While earning a bachelor’s degree is a big commitment, the rewards are plentiful and within your reach. A
brighter economic future, more career possibilities, and a greater sense of personal fulfillment are all
possible with the acquisition of a bachelor’s degree.
Benefits of Earning a College Degree
by Becton Loveless

Earning a college degree is such an important step in life that it has become a central part of the "American
Dream". Go to college, get a job, buy a house, raise a family. It may not always be that simple, but it all
starts with your college education.

Earning a college degree is all about opening up opportunities in life. It prepares you, both intellectually and
socially, for your career and your adult life. The benefits of a college education include career opportunities
like better paying and higher skilled jobs, but studies have shown that it also leads to overall happiness and
stability.

Many people know that they want to attend college, but don't know exactly why, or how it will enrich their
lives. Below are some of the many benefits of earning a college degree.

1. Make More Money

For most people, the ability to earn more money is the driving force behind going to college. A post-
secondary degree, whether it is a bachelor's, master's or PhD, is the most common route to careers that
demand higher skills and offer higher pay.

Studies show that college graduates earn significantly more money throughout their lifetime than those with
only high school education.

According to a national report by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (sheeo.org),
high school graduates earn an average of almost $30,000 per year. Bachelor's graduates earn an average
of just over $50,000 a year. And those with a higher level degree (master's, doctorate or professional)
average nearly $70,000 per year. This translates to a significant earnings gap over the course of one's life.

Earnings potential varies depending on what field you work in. For example, a master's degree in education
or nursing won't lead to nearly as much wealth as a master's degree in engineering or business. But
education and nursing are far and away the most in-demand professions out there. If you enter one of
these fields, you're likely to find a good job somewhere – even if it doesn't pay as well a job in engineering
or business.

There is still an income disparity in gender and race. White males tend to make more money than their non-
white-male counterparts. But relative to all gender and racial demographics, earnings potential still
increases dramatically with a college degree.

2. Benefits for You and Your Family

Obviously, higher income is a primary benefit of earning your college degree. But most jobs that require a
bachelor's, master's, doctoral or professional degree tend to also provide more benefits. This can include
health care, retirement investment, travel and other perks. These types of benefits are rarely offered for
high-school-level jobs.

Part of the reason employment benefits are so important is because they offer stability for your family,
especially in the case of health care. They are called benefits, but in reality, they are a vital part of anyone's
salary. In some cases, the value of benefits even exceeds an employee's take-home pay.

The benefits of a college education also extend beyond generations. Families of college graduates are
generally better off economically and socially. But it is also more likely that the next generation of children
will attend college. So you can look at it as an investment in the future of your family.

3. Better Career Opportunities

Earning a college degree is the most common pathway to a better career. Entering college, not everyone
knows what they want to do when they grow up. But most know they want to have a better job-not only one
that will pay more, but one in which they are more satisfied and secure. That combination of benefits is why
so many people make the investment of time and money to go to college.

Oftentimes it's not necessarily what you study, but the fact that you studied something at all. Aside from
training you in an expert field, college trains you to think analytically, understand complex subjects and
communicate your own critical ideas about them. It also instills crucial skills like organization, self-discipline
and the ability to complete tasks from start to finish. In other words, college helps mold you into a more
professional individual.

Because college gives you a broad range of skills, many college graduates end up in fields that are not
what they studied in school. College can open up unexpected opportunities that aren't always there for
those who haven't engaged in a higher level of education.

In today's economy, employment options are shrinking for people who only have a high school diploma. A
large majority of high school graduates work in the service industry, in low paying jobs that don't offer many
opportunities for advancement. College graduates, on the other hand, tend to have skills that qualify them
for a broad range of employment in fields that offer more upward mobility.

4. Job Security and Satisfaction

Having a post-secondary degree typically leads to better job security. Let's face it: if you don't have a
degree, you're probably not as valuable to your employer. When push comes to shove it will be much
easier to replace you with someone else who only completed high school.

In fact, an educated staff is so important to some companies that they will even pay for employees' tuition.
This is how valuable a college degree can be. It is seen as an investment that will bring substantial
rewards, not only to the employee, but to the company as well.

Data shows that in an economic recession, college graduates are less vulnerable to layoffs. The people
who suffer the most from job cuts are lower level employees who only have high school diplomas. There
are no guarantees, but if you have a college degree you will be less likely to suffer long-term
unemployment.

As a college graduate, it is also more likely that you will enjoy your job. All the factors listed above-higher
income, employment benefits and advancement opportunities-lead to better job satisfaction. But a college
degree also gives you more freedom to pursue a career that interests you, maybe even inspires you.

5. An Investment in Your Future

Attending college is a major commitment of time and money, but it is also a down payment on success.
Earning your college degree will help you realize your goals in your career as well as life in general. It
requires a lot of hard work, but that work prepares you for a challenging and rewarding career and a more
fruitful life.

6. Networking

It’s quite easy to think of the benefits of a college degree in terms of future earnings and promotion
opportunities. However, what’s spoken of less frequently is the role that networking can play in these
opportunities. People often get jobs based on recommendations made by my friends, while in other cases,
having a professional network can help people learn about upcoming job opportunities before others do.
The truth is that creating a professional network can mean the difference between finding a job or getting a
promotion, and those networks start forming in college.

On your way to a degree, you can either passively sit through courses before leaving for the day or become
active with your fellow students. Colleges are filled with volunteer organizations and professional societies
where you can meet others who are in your field. Through these contacts, you may learn about
opportunities while you’re still in school. This might include internship opportunities and other chances to
get real world experience that will look good on your resume.
These same contacts may be able to link you to resources that will help you better understand your field.
By connecting with these people, you can more quickly learn about your field while you’re in school. They
may provide access to resources that include books or even professionals that you can talk to who can
help you learn more about the industry you hope to enter.

Of course, the most helpful aspect of making these connections is likely the recommendations they will
make to their employers on their behalf. It’s not uncommon in businesses for managers to first look
internally for potential hires. Your professional contacts may be able to suggest you as a recommendation
when businesses start hiring, giving you an advantage when it comes to being hired by a company in your
field.

7. Personal Development

A college degree is helpful for many practical reasons, ranging from your increased competitiveness to the
increased likeliness that you’ll be promoted within your job. However, people underestimate the degree of
personal growth that they’ll experience as they’re working through their degree. A college education
requires students to overcome all types of adversity and prepares them not only for the workplace, but for
dealing with many of life’s challenges.

Time management and organization, for example, are just two examples of the skills that you’re likely to
pick up during your time in college. Both are needed to successfully navigate the many courses you’ll be
taken while also successfully tackling the tasks before you. Test, quiz, and homework dates can all become
confusing when you’re dealing with multiple classes. Good organization can help you manage all of your
responsibilities, and it’s a skill that will be useful once you have your degree. Not only is it useful in the
workplace, but it can help you manage your personal responsibilities at home. Even simple tasks like bill
payments are made easier when you can properly track what is due and when.

Of course, on a larger level, the sort of personal development you’ll experience will largely be related to
overcoming adversity. College requires that you overcome one challenge after another, ranging from
financial responsibilities to passing tests or completing projects. You’ll need to be not only intelligent but
disciplined in order to complete your schooling. These traits are often developed slowly throughout college.
As you learn how to better respond to stress and adversity, you’ll slowly find that you’re better able to deal
with adversity in a number of situations.

8. Higher Likeliness of High Quality Benefits

As the economy improves, companies find it harder and harder to attract top talent. The reason why is that,
as the economy improves, businesses need to hire more. That puts highly qualified employees in high
demand. In turn, these employees are more easily able to say no to one company in favor of another.

This is especially true with a college degree, which prepares employees with a number of skills that make
them more highly qualified. The more highly qualified, the more likeliness that they’ll be in high demand. To
lure these kinds of employees, businesses will often try to lure them incentives other than just good pay.
These incentives include benefits packages that include more vacation time and better healthcare options.

One of the best parts of getting your college degree is the access it gives you to high quality benefits and
perks. Employers will often offer to cover more healthcare costs or offer more vacation time to lure highly
qualified employees. In other cases, they may offer better retirement investment options that will make life
after retirement easier. These kinds of packages take some of the responsibility for saving for a rainy day
off of the shoulders of these employees.

Individuals with a college degree are more often economically well off not only because they’re paid better
but because they have to worry less about sinking the majority of their money into healthcare or retirement
funds. For many people, this paves the way for more easily preparing for a family and saving for a child’s
college. Even for people who don’t plan to have families, the savings from better benefits packages makes
it easier for them to save money for personal enjoyment, like traveling or investing into a hobby.
Defining why a college education is important involves more than just identifying the superficial benefits
of more career opportunities. At a deeper level, college is where you will map a path through life that can
take you to places you never expected to go.

The beauty of postsecondary education is that college can yield tangible and intangible benefits for
you that in turn benefit others – even if school doesn’t awaken your sleeping Pablo Picasso, Stephen
Hawking, or Bill Gates.

Tangible Benefits of a College Education

It’s well established that a college education delivers measurable material benefits. If you were to rattle off
the list of reasons you’re attending school, chances are these are the first ones you’ll mention.

College Education and Wages

A handful of money definitely qualifies as a tangible benefit, and research has matched levels of education
to payroll expectations and the ability to find a job:

 In 2015, bachelor’s degree holders earned 64 percent more than those with a high school diploma.

 Bachelor’s degree recipients can expect to earn about $1 million more over a lifetime than a person
who doesn’t go to college.

 A postsecondary education is expected to be required for about two-thirds of available jobs by 2020.

A recent study broke the higher education benefits down even further, finding among other things, that a
bachelor’s degree now means the holder will earn 84 percent more than someone with no postsecondary
education.

Better Jobs Equal Better Benefits, Perks

A college education also usually translates to great benefits and perks as well:

 Typical white-collar benefits: health insurance, eyecare insurance, vacation and other paid time off,
dental insurance, maternity/paternity leave, pension plan, 401(k)

 Potential white-collar perks: transportation and parking reimbursement and/or company car, free food
and beverages, flexible schedules and freedom to work from home (or elsewhere), concierge
services, golden parachutes (high-dollar severance packages)

For Some, College Is the First Real Adventure

College takes you out of familiar surroundings and presents new challenges. But college doesn’t only pave
the way for intangible experiences. Adapting to new faces in a fresh place is just the start. The education
process can mean internships, overseas travel, exciting research opportunities, and exploration of multiple
career paths, all of which can lead to some very tangible results when you start working.

And academic success opens doors to careers where, quite literally in some cases, even the sky and moon
aren’t the limits. Think aerospace engineering.
Connections that Can Last a Lifetime

The thousands of people you meet, study with, and work alongside in college will range from peers to
mentors, along with power players in your chosen field and others. These are connections you will make
note of and potentially use to advance yourself and your ideas.

And as far as relationships go, the only romantic label as common as “high school sweetheart” is “college
sweetheart.”

Intangible Benefits of a College Education

A college education can open doors for your career and your own personal growth. For example, college
helps develop many important skills, such as self-awareness, global-mindedness, critical thinking, and
more.

People by Nature Desire Knowledge

That is a paraphrase of a premise that the Greek philosopher Aristotle states in his Metaphysics. It is
affirmed by the connection of head and heart when the study of history helps you forecast the future, when
math adds up to real-life solutions, and when the development of skills allows you to produce a
masterpiece worthy of the Library of Congress, Metropolitan Museum of Art, or U.S. Patent Office.

In Pursuit of Critical Thinking

Results are in on colleges and critical thinking. During one recent study, researchers began with the notion
that everyone wants colleges to teach critical-thinking skills and that the challenge routinely is accepted.
Here’s a key finding: Data show that a student who begins college with critical thinking skills in the
50th percentile can expect to be in the 72nd percentile after four years.

Critical thinking is, according to the Foundation for Critical Thinking, “that mode of thinking — about any
subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully
analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it.” Developing that skill yields endless opportunities to enrich your
life both personally and professionally.

College Advances Self-Realization

A college education, if pursued honestly and earnestly, gives you the knowledge and skills needed to
pursue a career and your passions. The degree also can bring hard-to-match personal satisfaction. A huge
part of ensuring that self-realization process is finding a school that is right for you, where you’ll feel safe
and comfortable enough to let yourself grow and explore.

Why College Or University Education is Important

While lots of people see a University or College Education as essential and necessary to be successful in
life,

many believe it is a waste of time and resources.

The necessity or importance of getting the University or College Education has sparked worldwide debate,
and we have done some in-depth research into both sides of the coin. The choice of getting or not getting a
College or University education will determine the path you will move towards for the rest of your life. 
Before we go further, let's understand the word's College and University. To start with, the word college
differs in meaning from country to country; in some countries, a college is a secondary or high school.
However, in this context, a college is a higher institution of learning, which is usually small in size, while just
like the college, the university is also a higher institution of learning designed for a higher or what we called
advanced education. It is usually big and has the capacity of awarding degrees (bachelor's degree,
master's degree, and doctorate) to students.

No matter the differences in meaning, one thing is sure that both colleges and universities are higher
education learning institutions. Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world." It is essential throughout one's sojourn in life, lasting through various
stages, from the least to the pick of it all. As you edge towards finishing the secondary or high school stage,
it begins to dawn on you that choosing the way forward is not as easy as it looks.

Attending the college or university is the next level in the learning process after going through High or
Secondary school; it is an essential phase of human development academically worldwide. It not only
provides high-level skills and workforce necessary for every labor market but also the needed training
required for entrepreneurs, teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants, engineers, scientists and a good
number of other personnel are in different works of life.

In any society, an educated populace plays a vital role because of the increasing importance of acquiring
knowledge is the primary driver of growth and development in various fields today. Knowledge acquisition
and its application has become one of the major factors in economic development, increase economically,
and competitive advantage on the global economy scene.

Education is excellence, but it is not excellence in its entirety. The immediate impact of tertiary education
globally is indeed not open to debate in any serious-minded economy. An educated and excellent society is
looked upon by every other country, basically because of how flourishing it has turned out to be. 
Have you for once wondered why some developed countries in the world like Canada, France, Australia,
Germany, the United Kingdom, and the USA are consistently reaping the gains of their substantial
investments in education? It's almost like putting money in a fixed deposit account, and you endure the
pains to create room for long-lasting comfort and ease in the long run.

Looking through history, you get to see that many innovations like the internet, computer and a host of
others got the ideas together in a school environment through researches conducted, this is the primary
reason why so many countries have also followed suit to invest in the education sector in other to improve
productivity.

Importance of College and University education

Looking critically into the importance of college and university education, you will find out that countless
advantages.  

The following are the importance of college and university education in no particular order;

1. Skills necessary for to reaching financial goals:

Do you have the aspirations to reach a financial goal that you have set for yourself? Then higher education
through a college or the university is necessary for preparing you for challenges after school. For any
individual who wishes to have a change in their standard of living, which directs them towards gaining
financial freedom, this should be your consideration. It is through financial freedom that you get to do great
things that you have always imagined to do.

2. Learning how to bring about a desired change in the world:

A college and university is an environment where great minds converge to carry out research, and this has
a significant impact on students through a wide variety of courses. Attending a College or University will
help mold critical thinking individuals who can proffer solutions to the society and world now and in the
future. Through learning, the minds of future leaders are formed to create communities that will be
conducive and comfortable for everyone.
3. Person to person network:

College or university certificate/degree allows an individual the opportunity to expand their circle through
interactions with people from all works of life. Making bonds with individuals of different backgrounds helps
you widen your network, and college/university is the right place for building a good network of friends.
Through the networks developed, one can also go across the world and see the possible ways of bringing
change based on the level of exposure. 

4. Meaning and purpose in life:

Most of the activities carried out in colleges and universities are responsible for the journey of self-
discovery, it helps give meaning and in redefining purpose in an individual's life. Many people are still
confused about what they want to become in the future or what areas they want to explore. A university or
College environment opens you up to so many things and so many people who might help in the
discovery of passion.  Counseling programs on campuses can also help.

5. Award of Certificate or Degree:

One of the reasons why a college or university education is essential is because of the award of a
certificate to certify that you participated in the given program, it also proves that you have achieved a level
of proficiency in a chosen field of study. The certificate also comes in handy, when it comes to looking for
employment because people with certificates or degrees are considered before individuals without any in
many organizations.

6. Experience:

It is impossible to attend a college or university without acquiring experience of responsibility,

independence, and life as a whole. Skills gained during research and other activities through an individual's
time of studies will go a long way in making choices. Attending a college or university avails you the
opportunity to see life from a different angle and viewpoint. Real-life experiences help you go through real-
life challenges and come out of it a refined individual.

These benefits are for an individual's personal development and career opportunities.
So are you still in confusion as to the path to take? Staying put and doing nothing could be detrimental;
going backward is dangerous. You left with the choice of moving forward. Why not take a bold step today
towards securing your future. You will be glad you did.

The benefits of a college degree have been well-documented. However, with rising college tuition, high
unemployment rates (even for those with a degree), and increasing technology automation that results in
whole career fields quickly becoming obsolete, many prospective students find themselves wondering if
it's worth pursuing a degree, or even if it's necessary in today's world. How important is a college degree,
really?

In short, despite these challenges, a degree is more important than ever. While there are certainly issues
worth considering when it comes to taking the plunge and enrolling in a degree program, getting a degree
is almost always a smart choice that will set you up for success in a multitude of ways. Just remember to
think critically, be a savvy shopper, and make well-informed decisions when it comes to your institution and
degree type, and a degree will likely pay off.

When making the decision to back to school, students often have a number of questions that they need
answered before they can determine the value of a degree. We've listed some of the most common
questions below.

Top Questions About the Benefits of a Degree

How Does a College Degree Help Your Career?

Obtaining college degree will almost always improve your career opportunities. In today's competitive job
market, it's becoming more common for employers to require applicants to hold at least a bachelor's degree
in order to qualify for many jobs. That means that without the credential, you're going to be at a
disadvantage - it's difficult to even get in the door at a new company, or start the conversation with a
potential employer, without it, even if you have years of experience in your field. Even if you're not looking
to change jobs or move to a new company, you'll often find that your prospects for internal shifts (such as
promotions) are limited without a degree.

How Much More Do College Graduates Earn?

The impact of a degree on earning potential has been well-documented: studies show that those with a
bachelor's degree make, on average, $2.1 million over the course of their lifetimes. Compare this to just
$1.2 million average lifetime earnings for those with a high school diploma, and the benefit of a degree
becomes clear.

How Does Education Help You Get a Better Job?

Education plays a large role in helping you get a better job. As noted above, the credential itself is an
important factor when it comes to improved career prospects, but it's not just about the piece of paper:
the skills you'll learn throughout your degree program will set you apart as a highly qualified candidate and
valuable employee. These skills aren't just limited to those in your specific field, though those are of course
critical - you'll also learn in-demand soft skills like communication and time management that will set you
apart in the workplace. Having this background will help you qualify for better jobs, present yourself well in
interviews, and allow you to excel once you're actual in your new role.

This translates into getting a better job: doing work you're interested in, working in a safe and comfortable
environment, making more money, and having a schedule that makes sense for your lifestyle.

How Important Is a College Degree?

In today's world, a postgraduate credential is incredibly important when it comes to your career. Not only
will such a credential validate you in the eyes of potential employers, it will give you the background and
foundation in the field of your choice that you'll need for success. Getting in at the ground level and learning
on the job are admirable ways to get where you want to go, but in this competitive job market, they're much
less feasible than they used to be. As baby boomers - many of whom were able to secure great careers
without degrees - retire, employers are seeking to fill their roles with better-trained, better-educated
replacements.

Will a college degree guarantee steady employment, high income, or success? No, not necessarily, but it
will position you well to pursue all of those things. Will receiving a college degree improve your career
opportunities? Almost certainly, yes. This is only going to become more true over time, as the job market
becomes even more competitive. To put the trend in perspective, consider that nine out of ten new
jobs created in the last year have gone to those with a college degree. That means that a degree - once
considered optional - is now a necessity.

My son will often ask me, “Can I drop-out of school and just be a Youtuber?” My non-verbal reply would be a raised
eyebrow. This will then be followed by a clever comeback from him, “Bill Gates and Steve Jobs dropped out,
MrBeast dropped out, Ninja didn’t even go to college… they make plenty of money.” A sigh will fall from my lips at
this, and before I can even come up with a reply that would make perfect sense to a teenager, he will quickly smile
and say, “Just kidding.” If only it were really just a joke. But aren’t jokes half meant?
So in case you’re a parent like me who find themselves in a similar dialogue with your child, I’m listing what I think
are the 3 benefits of having a college degree, even in today’s digital age:
1. A college degree helps build a strong foundation
While chances are likely that your degree is not necessarily indicative of what your career will be in the “real“ world,
having a solid foundation in education is a pretty good reason to pursue college. Platforms such as Youtube, TikTok,
Fortnite, or Instagram can catapult literally ANYONE to fame, but how sustainable is it really?
You need a thorough understanding of the platform you’re in, and know how to monetize a regular stream of income
from it. Furthermore, your content must be on point, fresh, and always relevant. Inc.com says that “The top 3% of
Youtube channels get 90% of the traffic.” This means that someone’s channel needs to be really good in order to get
subscribers and views, which leads to monetization. You’re only as good as your last most viewed video, most read
blog, or most listened-to podcast. A solid foundation in a chosen degree gives a sense of stability, especially in
challenging times.
 
2. A college degree can provide essential building blocks
Ever heard of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Lyka, NFTs? These are just some of the terms associated with blockchain
technology – which is a way of passing information from point A to point B in a fully automated and safe manner (or
so the experts say), with less or no processing fees. What does this have to do with a college degree? Nothing, but it
could mean something soon when these cryptocurrencies, tokens, and digital assets become the backbone of our
children’s economic and monetary future. Currently, they’re buzz words, and earning from the crypto game is really
unpredictable, just like playing the stock market. Thus encouraging our kids to understand how financial markets,
monetary systems, and global economies work by encouraging them to study Accounting, Economics, Financial
Management, or similar degrees can give them the footing they need to navigate the future of the economy. Just like
you need to learn your ABCs and 123s, a college degree provides the rote knowledge. Paired with real life experience,
our children can achieve almost anything they set their minds to.
 
3. A college degree is a practical way to pursue one’s passion
You’ll often find motivational quotes all over, including the very popular “Find your passion.” Kids are passionate
about many things these days – the environment, social issues, giving back to the community – and we’re proud that
they are! I have never encountered a more committed generation than those our kids belong to. Because of the power
of the internet and social media, they are more attuned to deeper issues that affect our society, and are determined to
be the change they want to see in the world. But one cannot survive on passion alone. To survive and thrive in this
world, you also have to be practical. Having a college degree is one such example. Even if more online jobs are to be
had, hiring companies will always look towards applicants with an edge. If being an employee is not your child’s
dream, one still has to learn the basics of business and management, including other entrepreneurship skills that can be
gained from a classroom as much as a real world setting.
You can support your child’s passion and still be practical about it by encouraging them to take a related livelihood
option. Examples are: 
So a college degree these days still makes sense, right? It can help provide some of the discipline, maturity, and sense
of accomplishment that everybody craves for. If college is in the cards for your children, be financially ready for it
because it does not come cheap. A financial plan that provides a regular stream of income to pay for tuition and other
education expenses can be a lifesaver for many parents. One such plan is Sun Life’s SUN Dream Achiever. You can
learn more about it here. 
Just like any parent, we all want our kids to be successful at what they choose to do. If we’re lucky, they’ll even let us
give them advice on which career to pursue. The important thing is we listen and give them the freedom of choice.
With some guidance and financial preparation, we can give them the brightest future possible – regardless of likes,
subs, and views.

As far as communication education and training in the Philippines is concerned, the higher education sector is the
biggest and most important contributor for preparing students for the communication and media professions. Most
tertiary institutions, generically called higher education institutions are licensed, controlled and supervised by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Higher education institutions in the Philippines are either colleges or
universities, and are generally classified as public or private. Colleges are tertiary institutions that typically offer one or
a few specialized courses, for example, in the sciences or in liberal arts (including communication-related), or in specific
professional courses, such as nursing, computing or communication and media studies. The landscape and number of
institutions and students of the Philippine higher education sector is shown in Figure 6 below. In 2014, records from
CHED showed that the country had 1,871 (88%) higher education institutions, 1652 (88%) of which are private
institutions and 219 (12%) state-run colleges and universities excluding 442 satellite campuses of the latter for an
overall total of 2,313 (Bautista, 2014). Furthermore, there are a total of 3.3 million higher education students in the
Philippines, with 1.89 million (57%) enrolled in private institutions and 1.42 million (43%) in public institutions of higher
learning (Bautista, 2014). As