Dr. Kent Ingle, President of Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, recently wrote an article outlining why he thinks a college degree is worth the high price tag.
First, a college degree can give a student one of the best returns on investment for their future success. Studies show that people with a bachelor’s degree or higher earn more over their lifetime than those with a high school diploma. Bachelor’s degree holders earn a median of $2.8 million during their career, 75 percent more than those with no more than a high school diploma. And in our nation, the highest-paying occupations require at least a graduate degree. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the lowest unemployment rate (2.2 percent) compared to those with a high school diploma (4.5 percent).
Second, a college degree can positively contribute to a student’s well-being. A new report by Lumina and Gallup found that bachelor’s degree holders are more likely to say their health is excellent or very good compared to workers with no higher education. They are also more likely to exercise and seek preventative health care when needed.
Finally, Dr. Ingle writes that a college degree can increase a student’s civic engagement. Studies have shown that people with a four-year degree are more likely to participate in the political process (such as voting), volunteer in their communities and give to charities.
College graduates also recognize the value of giving back to their communities through their time and finances. In fact, 67 percent of bachelor’s degree holders say they donated to charity in the last 12 months, compared with 38 percent of U.S. adults with no higher education, according to the Lumina and Gallup report. And the rate of those who volunteer nearly doubled from degree holders to those with no higher education.
Today's Generation Z has more tools to learn from these days. The internet was a game-changer. Many Gen Zers can earn substantial salaries using online resources. Now that artificial intelligence has entered the game, this generation has knowledge and academic assistance at the tips of their fingers.
So...who needs a college education?
I agree with Dr. Ingle that a college degree provides more for a student than just academic achievement and a better chance to succeed in life. It offers a lot more. It offers those intangibles that Generation Z needs. Intangibles like social interaction, for one. College can be the place where many students learn how to interact with peers from various backgrounds, build community and establish lifelong friendships. Remaining in one's bedroom hunched over a computer does little to support the need to develop meaningful relationships. Gen Zers are the most diverse generation we've ever had. They need to learn how to get along.
In addition, many Gen Zers need to develop a work ethic that will see them through tough times. Instead of relying on the social welfare net, they can learn to overcome many obstacles just by applying elbow grease. Hard work is hard to learn typing in a question on chatGPT.
Finally, a college degree in someone's pocket says to an employer, "This person has completed something. They have worked on a goal and accomplished it. They have spent the time and money to achieve something worthwhile. They know how to finish what they have started. Life is more than about having fun. It takes work."
