It might be a good idea to speak to a school counselor or someone who has undergone the financial aid process to help you navigate the financial aspect of a college education. Luckily, there are actions you can take that can help you move toward a career—or even the degree itself—without the commitment of a degree plan. Community colleges—sometimes called city colleges or junior colleges—provide a wide array of lower-division college work that could transfer to a four-year college, work toward a two-year associate's degree, provide access to vocational programs or give you skills that you can apply to a job or otherwise enrich your life.
Tuition is also usually significantly more affordable at a community college. Related: 12 Benefits of Community College. For example, if you want to work in the health care sector but are put off by the idea of a lengthy nursing program or medical school, some career options include medical billing specialists, dental assistants and paramedics. Careers in fields like cosmetology or massage therapy are also usually rooted in trade school.
Many certificate programs can get you qualifiable skills in under a year. If entrepreneurship appeals to you, going to college could take away from the time you may need to launch and grow your venture. While you could benefit from studying business or marketing, if you are resourceful, innovative-minded and have the necessary motivation that comes with start-up work, then skipping college may be a viable option. If you have the means to take a year off from school to travel, why not do so before you become laden with commitments?
On the other hand, perhaps you have a job opportunity or want to bolster your college savings account. Taking a gap year can also help students make more informed decisions about their futures by allowing them more time to consider their direction before plunging into an academic program. Find jobs.
Company reviews. Find salaries. Upload your resume. Sign in. Career Development. Five reasons you should go to college. Your dream job requires a degree. You enjoy learning and the idea of academic life. You are torn between interests. You are drawn to college traditions. You want networking opportunities for your field. Five reasons not to go to college. You don't need a degree for your desired job. On the first full moon of the school year, students gather in the quad, and the seniors welcome the freshmen by kissing them.
There's a lot of kissing. It might not be hygienic, but it's memorable. You may make very close friends while you're attending college. In college, you get to befriend people from all over the US and even other countries. A big part of the college experience is having the opportunity to learn from and interact with people from diverse backgrounds.
Overall, you have the chance to study, live, party, and participate in extracurricular activities with your peers. There will probably be no other time in your life when you get to spend as much time with your friends, and the amount of quality time you get to spend with them will form the foundation for meaningful lifelong friendships.
For many students, college is the first time in their lives they're not living at home. During college, they learn to be self-sufficient. They learn domestic skills and budgeting—even how to motivate themselves without parental encouragement. At the same time, most college students can still go home or call home if they're in need of some money or advice. Many people who don't go to college remain at home for at least a couple of years after high school. Though they often have more freedom than they did during high school, their routines and mindsets don't change nearly as drastically as those who went to college.
Anecdotally at least, even students who live at home and commute to college experience more growth than those who bypass college. Whether you go to an in-state or out-of-state school, your college will likely expose you to a new city and environment.
For instance, if you grew up in California and went to Stanford , it could still be a six-hour drive from where your family lived. You would be able to experience life in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, which has a different vibe, culture, and climate from, say, Los Angeles. Many college students are grateful to be able to have the opportunity to live in a different environment.
Furthermore, most colleges have study abroad programs that can give you a chance to take classes in countries around the world.
At Emerson College, you can spend a semester in a 14th-century medieval castle in The Netherlands. You can learn about the world by traveling and studying in countries around the world. Finally, people who go to college tend to be healthier.
According to a CDC report , people with a bachelor's degree live about nine years longer than people without one. They're also less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise. Similarly, according to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health , people who get a bachelor's degree after 25 years of age exhibit fewer depressive symptoms and have better self-rated health at midlife.
The majority of college applicants are high school seniors, and most of the college application advice out there is aimed at them. But what do you do if you don't fall into this narrow category? Our eBook on how to prepare for and apply to college as a nontraditional student will walk you through everything you need to know , from the coursework you should have under your belt to how to get letters of recommendation when you're not a high school senior. Note that you only get many of the benefits of going to college if you're able to graduate.
College is really, really expensive, with costs continuing to rise, and many college graduates are burdened with astronomical student loan debt.
Remember, though, that most students receive financial aid that covers at least part of the cost of attendance if they demonstrate financial need. Unfortunately, many students don't receive the aid they need to fully cover the costs. As a result, they take on unsubsidized student loans to finance their college education. Overall, student loan debt can dramatically impact your life after your graduate. It can affect the jobs you take and cause you to delay buying a house or starting a family.
A study by PayScale. So in addition to the financial costs and debts you're incurring while in college, you probably won't be able to get the salary you could be making from working a full-time job during the four to six years you're in school.
The last con of attending college is that going to one might not actually increase your intelligence. More recent studies have shown similar trends among those with either some college or a degree. Given the cost of attending college, you'd hope that higher education would have a dramatically positive effect on these skills for all students—but this might not actually be the case. Admittedly, we might be somewhat biased because we've spent years stressing the importance of attending college to high school students.
However, we do recognize that college might not be for everyone. Other than the pros and cons of college we mentioned previously, here are some additional factors to consider when deciding whether or not to attend college. You might be planning to enter a trade that doesn't require a college degree and will provide you with a good salary and benefits.
However, if you end up deciding that you don't like that field after a few years and you don't have a college degree, your employment options will be limited. Also, if you take up a trade that requires physical labor and you suffer an injury, you might struggle to find work without a college degree.
You might be turned off by college because of how much you think it will cost you. But remember that you might not know your out-of-pocket expenses until you get accepted to college and get a financial aid package.
In reality, there are many grants and scholarships that can alleviate the financial burden and make college more affordable for you. You can also sign up for courses or clubs in subjects that may not be your strength. You never know what professional or personal skills you may pick up that can help you later on in life. When you are thinking about whether to go to college, there are multiple considerations. Here are some things to keep in mind when researching schools.
Consider these factors when thinking about going to college:. Thinking about the timing and cost of your college education will help you be a more successful student in the long run. Both private and public schools can provide valuable benefits to their students. Here are a few differences to consider:. The total cost of tuition will vary depending on the college, and there are other costs and fees that come with attendance. Your total cost will also depend on whether you go to an in-state or out-of-state school.
Source: College Board. However, you can lower the upfront costs of your education by applying to scholarships, grants or student loans.
Are you ready to pursue a college education? There are a few items you can add to your to-do list to be prepared. How We Make Money. Hanneh Bareham. Written by. Hanneh Bareham specializes in everything related to student loans and helping you finance your next educational endeavor.
She aims to help others reach their collegiate and …. Edited By Chelsea Wing. Edited by. Chelsea Wing. Chelsea has been with Bankrate since early She is invested in helping students navigate the high costs of college and breaking down the complexities of student loans.
Reviewed By Mark Kantrowtiz. Reviewed by. Mark Kantrowtiz.
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