| With the escalating cost of higher education, many | | | | university degree revel in being self-sufficient because |
| people have begun to question the value of pursuing a | | | | of their ability to earn an adequate living. |
| college degree. The struggle to earn a living and attain | | | | Personal value of earning a higher education university |
| valuable knowledge to increase future earning potential | | | | degree: Furthermore, the Institute for Higher Education |
| is a dilemma for many folks. However, research has | | | | Policy reports that college graduates have higher |
| revealed that the rate of return on the investment to | | | | levels of savings, more hobbies, increased professional |
| earn a university degree for both the individual and | | | | mobility, a better quality of life for their children and |
| society over the long run is over 118% on average. | | | | even make better decisions as consumers. The skills |
| According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the holder of a | | | | learned while acquiring a university degree are also |
| university degree can earn over one million dollars in | | | | applied in a beneficial manner to everyday living. |
| extra income over the course of their lifetime. One | | | | Health value of earning a higher education university |
| million dollars is a significant sum of money considering | | | | degree: The Cohn and Geske study in 1992 revealed |
| the cost involved in investing in a university degree ( | | | | that "parental schooling levels are positively correlated |
| On average US $35,196). Knowing that a person who | | | | with the health status of their children" and "increased |
| holds a university degree may earn one million dollars | | | | schooling are correlated with lower mortality for given |
| more in their lifetime supports the concept that higher | | | | age brackets". Most people who hold a university |
| education is a worthwhile investment. There are many | | | | degree pursue jobs they derive pleasure from which |
| other verifiable reasons to support going to college to | | | | decreases stress and such jobs often offer better |
| earn a university degree, such as: | | | | health insurance plans to their employees, resulting in |
| Financial value of earning a higher education university | | | | improved overall health. |
| degree: A breakdown of the U.S. Census Bureau | | | | So what is the potential for people who pursue a |
| results reveals that over the working life of an adult, | | | | university degree but do not actually earn it? A study |
| high school graduates earn an average of $1.2 million; | | | | done by Boesel and Fredland in 1999 found that those |
| associate's degree holders earn approximately $1.6 | | | | who do not complete their degree earn less than, or |
| million; and those who hold a bachelor's degree earn | | | | the same amount as, 2-year college students. Since |
| about $2.1 million. When you consider the large | | | | 600,000 students leave 4-year colleges every year |
| differences in earning between these categories, it | | | | without graduating, it may be wise in certain |
| makes the value of a college education and university | | | | circumstances to earn a 2-year degree before |
| degree quite apparent. Alternatively, the U.S. | | | | pursuing a 4-year degree. Earning a 2-year degree |
| Department of Education has determined that a | | | | first can maximize personal earning potential without |
| full-time student at a 4-year public university pays an | | | | accruing educational debt for a 4-year program that |
| average of $8,655 for tuition, room and board and a | | | | may not be completed. |
| full-time student at a public 2-year university pays the | | | | The value of deciding to earn a university degree is |
| average of $1,359 per year for tuition. Although higher | | | | indisputable. For busy people seeking flexibility, earning |
| education can be costly, it dramatically increases an | | | | a university degree is easier to attain with the |
| individual's earning capacity. | | | | convenience of online education. Almost any curriculum |
| Social value of earning a higher education university | | | | can be studied through online courses and a valid |
| degree: In their 1992 report, Elchanan Cohn and Terry | | | | degree awarded. According to Making the Grade: |
| Geske found that "college graduates appear to have | | | | Online Education in the United States, 2006, nearly 3.2 |
| a more optimistic view of their past and future | | | | million students took at least one course online during |
| personal progress." The improved self-esteem of | | | | the 2005 fall semester, which represented a |
| people holding a university degree makes them more | | | | substantial increase over the 2.3 million reported the |
| viable candidates for many positions in the job market | | | | year before. The same report states that most Chief |
| along with the confidence to pursue those jobs. | | | | Academic Officers believe that the quality of online |
| Public value of earning a higher education university | | | | instruction is actually equal to or better than traditional |
| degree: The Institute for Higher Education Policy has | | | | learning face-to-face. The knowledge and skills gains |
| found that public benefits of attending college are | | | | by taking an online course are equivalent to going to |
| greater productivity in the workplace, more workforce | | | | the trouble and inconvenience of attending classes in a |
| flexibility, increased tax benefits and less need to rely | | | | traditional setting. |
| on governmental financial support. People who hold a | | | | |