Name: Mohammad Omar Kothawala
Instructor: Rod Sachs
Subject: ENGL 1301
Date: 11/30/2012
College Education: Worth the money?
The value of higher education or college degree is now in jeopardy. This statement appears to be surprising as it gives an impression of breaking the norm Due to the global economic crisis accompanied by inflation, rising cost of living, soaring rates of unemployment, Professor Richard K. Vedder, of Ohio University, who is the founder of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, has put forth an argument, “Is college really worth it?.” Professor Vedder argues that the purpose of college is to get a job and according to an article in Times magazine, (pg. 56, 7 June, 2011) goes on to comment, “why fifteen percent of mail carriers have a bachelor’s degrees,” that it was a waste not just monetarily but of time and energy too. He feels a better bargain would have been to invest in the acquisition of skills appropriate to the work place which would have secured a credible future. Although this may appear valid at first glance, those who have a stake in higher education argue that there is plenty of evidence that suggest a college degree is worth it. For example, in response to professor Vedder attempts to promote an alternative to college degree, Dean Julie Morgan of the University of California at Los Angeles college of liberal arts and Sciences asserts that “four year degree program is one of the best investment in your life time” I agree with Morgan that this endowment is a smart decision, but I further argue that when thinking about college you have to think more about what you want out of it rather than what you have to do to get through it.
Many advocators of skipping the college like professor J.Lerman, the American University economist suggest ,”in terms of the current financial loop holes, community colleges, trade