Lauren Humphrey

Melvin Beavers
Comp II
February 15, 2016
The Value of Higher Education
In efforts to promote higher education, Barack Obama granted 12 billion to the American
Graduation Initiative. This aimed in helping more Americans earn degrees and certificates from
community colleges and to help America have the highest proportion of college graduates when
compared to other colleges and universities around the world. However the expectations of
society on the way you achieve your degree is different. Most people believe that to achieve a
degree or certificate you have to complete a four year degree program at a college or university
but not all jobs require a four year degree. Although that can be the case for some jobs, there are
many alternatives that can replace four year degree and can be more beneficial to the person
obtaining the degree. According to Mike Rowe, Weve convinced ourselves that good jobs
are a result of a four-year degree. He also argues that while college can be good, Not all
knowledge comes from college. In addition many people cannot afford college or college will
not be successful for all individuals. Not all teenagers are blessed with the academic talent to do
college-level work or mature enough to pursue college at 18, Gray and Herr said. Many confuse
the difference between college and higher education. While higher education may be good,

gaining a four-year degree at college may not be the most successful path for everyone
(Billittari).

Arguments of whether or not everyone should go to college are based on the

preconceived notion that everyone is fully capable of going to college. When president Obama
realized this he responded the American graduation initiative to promote higher education. When
people say higher education, many assume college; however, that is not always the case. A
panel of experts at the Urban Institute said that college is necessary if [it] is redefined to mean
post-secondary education in training in academics, a trade or set of skills that would make
someone employable. The cultural definition of college forces every individual to measure up to
the same academic standard. There is so much more to higher education than college. The ability
to make connections with other diverse people is crucial to the world. Education in citizenship,
diversity, reading and communication all contribute to a thriving society that solely academic
education does not provide (Epstein).

Others argue that higher education is more than job preparation. Jason Osder argues that
Human beings ought to be not only economic decision-makers but also citizens in an active
polity and contributors to a vibrant culture. Investing in higher education in a college setting
means gaining core skills, values of independent thought, critical thinking, research and analysis
are applicable to citizens in ways that transcend career and the society. Higher education is
usually thought to be just economic gain, but it can provide much more than economic gain.

There is more to a human than what job they have. Its also about contributing to the overall
society (Osder).People who receive higher education can gain more than just learning valuable
skills that can be applied to a job. They network with smart people, obtain credentials, while
gaining the higher skills. Higher education also sorts people into a hierarchy based on outcomes,
however no single path can work for everyone. Some individuals need the four-year degree with
exploration in all aspects that are required, while others simply need training of a particular skill.
With any path that an individual chooses, they must recognize the value that can be gained from
higher education, but to be successful higher education is valuable to every individual even if it
doesn't look like everyone else's (Theil).

Enrollment has dropped almost 5% between 2009 and 2013. Some argue that
unemployment rates are inevitable, but studies show that college grads have a much lower
unemployment rate than those who do not have a college degree. However a college degree does
not mean that every individual will have success in there certain field. There is no guarantee of
financial success, but its a prerequisite for moving up in the income ladder (Rampell).
Everyone must choose what is best for them in order to succeed in their own future. The same
college path does not work for everyone. You cant be successful by just going to college or by
following any formula. Just because someone has a college degree, it doesnt equal financial
success. Higher education can provide individuals with a better work ethic and connections in
their certain field. They can also gain practical experience in the field of work they are trying to

seek employment in. Real experience paired with knowledge ensures that someone can have a
successful future (Theil).
The definition of higher education and whether or not it is useful is debatable, but I think
that individuals need to determine what path of education is right for them beyond high school. I
agree that not everyone can thrive in a four-year degree plan but that everyone needs higher
education. I think that in order to be the most successful in the future, people an individual must
prepare accordingly, some of that includes more training. In the pursuit of higher education,
people can gain more than just knowledge that will help them in their career.

Works Cited
Billittari, Thomas "The Value of a College Education." (n.d.): 983-1004. CQ Press.SAGE, 20
Nov. 2009. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.
Epstein, Jennifer. "Should Everyone Go to College." Inside Higher Ed.N.p., 18 Sept. 2009.
Web. 8 Feb. 2016.
Osder, Jason. "The Overall Value of Higher Education."Washington Post.The Washington Post,
27 Nov. 2007. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.
Rampell, Catherine. "Catherine Rampell: College Is Still a Worthy Investment." Washington
Post.The Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2014. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.
Theil, Peter. "Thinking Too Highly of Higher Ed."Washington Post.The Washington Post, 21
Nov. 2014. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.