This is true. It's also something that happens if you go for a non-standard degree or apply for a job that's tangentially related.

Personally, I'd suggest against wasting money on college if a person doesn't have a plan for the degree. Also, college has gotten more expensive than it was when I went, but $8-11k per semester comes out to a crapload of money over the course of a degree. That's between $64,0000 and $88,000 before you even pay any interest on the loans you're likely to require. And I would expect to see major financial aid if they're asking that much.

Yeah, if you go that route...officer would be what I would suggest, but you need a degree to become one of those, and I'd avoid the Marines and Army. I value my life too much to be thrown on the front lines of some stupid war.

That said, you can go to school while the military pays for everything but your books. Just be more motivated than me about getting that degree. Oh and get a guaranteed career field before signing away your life. You want a field that transfers to the civilian world.

In answer to your questions:

1. Yes, it was worth it to me. It got me out of my home town and away from things that would have kept me there. I am working in fields I enjoy and continue to explore others. I met people I would never have otherwise and that opened further career doors down the road.

2. I paid off my undergraduate in about 4 or 5 years. I was lucky, I had few loans and a job that did not require me to have an apartment. I had a modest car payment and lived out of hotels on projects. When not on projects, I spent time with my parents and fiance'. Most of my food was covered by per diem, which went far when cooking on a hotplate or in a microwave. Beyond that, I lived modestly and threw every spare cent I had towards the loans. I was lucky. I did the same thing with grad school loans, it was painful, but worth it to be debt free.

3. I teach part time at a university, which requires an advanced degree, at least an MA or MS in most cases. I could not do that with out my degree. Now, when I was working as a CRM Archaeologist, I ran into people with out any college, this is not unusual since they can pick up the skills to dig and record data on the job. However, if you wanted to advance or get a full time job with a CRM or Engineering firm, then a BA or BS is required in most cases. I eventually went to grad school, it opened more doors for me, especially working in international spheres with very bright people who are working on very complex problems. Aside from teaching, I consult as well, so the advanced degree helps a lot in my field.

That being said, I echo several people in this thread that college can be beneficial, but there are other routes if you are looking for a career and money. A traditional college is not for everyone, trade or vocational schools are extremely viable options. I started out at a community college as an electrical engineering major-- it was not a good fit, I only did it because that was "where the money was" at the time, but I had no interest in it. I converted the credits to transfer to a 4 year school to do something I wanted to do. I do wish I had simply finished an Associates Degree first though, it would have made things a bit easier early on.

I am in the same shoes as you, except for the moment I am going to a much cheaper community college to get my basics and then transfer to a university. Are you currently attending a cheaper school or are you at the one you are currently questioning us about?

You need to get the education you need to get to do what you want to do.

Studies show that $$$ over $75,000 does not increase happiness. So don't hate your life for a million dollars.

Here's mine:

Is/was college worth it to you?
Yes. And I paid a lot and am still paying a lot.

How did it pay off, or why did it not?
I have a job, I've risen quickly. I have a very well-recognized B.S. from MSOE and on occasion I get recognized for the fact that I have a no-holds-barred degree (as opposed to the multitude of sissy degrees out there).

Could you be where you are without the degree?
I also got my Masters. And I'm in a job that only requires an associate's. I could be getting paid a lot more and doing a lot more with my educational background.

If I knew what I know now about family, work, children and so forth, I would have probably ended up getting the associates degree for a lot cheaper. That said, then I'd not have risen as quickly, I'd probably have a job I hate, I would not have had the educational fulfillment and the instrumental use of that knowledge in my workplace and I surely would not have married the woman I did nor have the children I do.



Now, that's all about me. But the big question for anyone considering college, is what about you?

Everyone has their own dreams and aspirations. I wanted to focus on being an attentive father and husband, so I didn't want a 75 hour high-travel high-intensity job that I'd likely take if I went the route of many of my peers. And the money isn't of a huge priority to me.

I know someone who turned down a full ride engineering degree because he wanted to start his own business. It took 10 years to get off the ground, but now he's making several times more money than what I make doing what he loves.

I know and have worked with tons of people who have advanced degrees but don't use them at all. A) There is no need, B) The degree was useless, C) They found that they didn't like the job or the types of people that the job attracts or the location that the job needs to be.



As for some other college items: All college experiences are a mix of enjoyment and BS. That's also the life experience.

You will never have the time to experience what you want. I missed out on a very regrettable experience (flying in a fighter jet) because my priorities were correct (don't skip class). I'd take that one class back now just to experience the jet once (they canceled those flights after 9-11).

So when you're in college, figure out what's most important. Some believe that fueling an alcohol addiction which will eventually cost them their job, marriage, children and happiness later in life to be of utmost importance. Some think that playing video games are the most important things to do. Some think DnD. Some thing just class. Some think making important lasting friendships. Some think rubbing elbows with big-wigs. Or a big combo platter.

The point is, be intentional with your life. Not just in college, but always. Figure out what you want (and make sure it's good and good for you) and then research and plan what you need to do to get what you want and then go do it. Intentionally. Every step of the way.

Sometimes the winds of life change your direction or sweep you off your feet or ruin your plans (usually it seems for the better -- I'm an optimist), but you'll always be living your life instead of coasting along the currents of others'.

That's smart. I did that and was allowed to start early in lieu of the latter half of high school. Around here some of those community colleges are even starting to offer full 4 year degrees. Just not many of them.

I would go to a college where you will actually learn something, I see the mostly as cattlefarms where you get a degree of becoming a wageslave for the rest of your life.
If you have a dream of becoming something I heartedly advise you to persue it in all seriousness, if you need college for it so be it, if not you don't miss out on anything.
Sorry if I sound cynical but that is the way I see things.

I've had to take every squeeze I could. I did running start, did community college for the basics, and now I'm finally at University but I still don't have enough to finish. Tuition just keeps going up and up. Last week my sociology professor played a video about the changing subsidies on education. Everyone groaned when it said that in 1960 tuition at some universities used to be free.

College is your next best chance of success unless you go into business for yourself.

That said, College is really just a societal shit-test to see if you can successfully persevere through something arduous and mundane to achieve some goal. If you can, you are, in a sense, battle-proven to employers. And, if you learn something along the way about the major you're studying, all the better, though that's not a strict requirement.

Before I went to college for computer programming, I was already programming games on my own, having taught myself through reading big 1000-page books and ass-in-chair. Employers could not understand how this was possible however and, to save my sanity in explaining it to them, I went and got a degree. After that, I had to beat off employers with a stick as I now was armed with both a degree and first-hand experience. I think my life would've been much more difficult without a degree, despite the fact that I left the IT field eventually.

Interestingly, Forbes did a study between the Forbes 400 that had degrees vs not and the Billionaires without degrees were worth more than those that had them. A later study (circa-2008) showed that the Billionaires without them were worth, on average, 2 Billion more than those that bothered with college. I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader as to why this is.

For me college was most definitely worth it. I got a full scholarship for undergrad, then went on to start a PhD but left with a Masters after two years (and in my field I actually got paid a stipend during those two years), so I came out of college after 6 years with a BS and and MS in chemistry and no debt to speak of. These degrees and (more importantly) all I had learned got me a good job in my chosen field, where I've been for the last 6 years (and where I'm quite happy). But that's me.

For others college can create a huge amount of debt while providing a degree that does very little to help with career prospects. Ultimately you have to decide what direction you want to go with your life and your career, then determine if a degree will help you get where you want to be. If you don't have a decent idea of what direction you want to go then $20,000+ a year is a hell of a lot of money to pay to just stumble around trying to figure things out. I know figuring out what direction you want to take your life and career is a pretty big thing to ask of someone right out of high school, but the kind of debt that can be accrued paying for college can stick with you for over a decade, so it's something that's worth figuring out. The path that Rohan mentioned, getting GE requirements out of the way at a community college at a much cheaper rate is also a very good way to go, but probably isn't applicable to you anymore.

Also, for the record, you'll face plenty of BS once you get out into the working world as well, so learning how to deal with it within the relatively safe environment of college is something valuable in itself.

Yes. Take it from a overworked and generally underpaid blue collar worker.

I WOULD take a full degree plan here seeing how my student aid covers everything and gives me enough to dick around with, but sadly the program I want (Education with a minor in History/English) is not offered here. Considering changing to child psychiatry or something with computers. Not sure at the moment. :/

Something to keep in mind:
[url=http://zenpencils.com/comic/98-alan-watts-what-if-money-was-no-object/ ]http://zenpencils.com/comic/98-alan-watts-what-if-money-was-no-object/[/url]

Worth every single cent of your money and second of your time. Beside the life experience, you'll have better chance of getting employed in white-collar sector.