Growing up in most average households, kids are expected to further their education by going to college; however, less than two-thirds will actually graduate (Beckstead). A higher education has not always been what is known as “normal.” In 1940, less than 15% of the population who were 25 years old or older held a Bachelors degree or higher, whereas today, approximately 36% of people hold a bachelors degree (United States Census Bureau). The debate over whether college education is worth it or not started in 1630 when the colonists arrived from Europe and founded “New College,” which was later named Harvard University (Background of College Education). During the early 1900’s colleges for women, blacks, immigrants, and Roman Catholics were created. For the 1907-1908 academic year, Brown …show more content…
A recent report by the College Board called “Education Pays,” confirmed that attending college will lower smoking rates and increase civic participation, such as volunteering, donating blood, and voting (Is College Worth It?). Gasper Caperton, college board president said, “The report shows that students who attend college obtain a wide range of personal, financial, and other lifelong benefits" (Caperton). Also, young people with college degrees are also more likely to be married, less likely to live at their parents' home and more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. Another lifestyle benefit is health insurance and a retirement plan. Only 50% of non-college graduates had access to employer-provided health insurance compared to 70% of college graduates. As for retirement plans, 70% of college graduates had access to retirement plans, whereas only 55% of high school graduates had access, and 30% for those who did not complete high school. Showing all of the lifestyle benefits and how it increases benefit by going to college is another reason that attending college is a wise