Is College Worth It- Questions of Success

Author Michelle Adam of Is College Worth It? (2013) explores the different views on the value of higher education. Adam evaluates surveys taken by school presidents, students and parents on the quality of  education and tuition affecting their lives after graduation. Her purpose is to inform us that the outcome of a higher education is different in order to prepare individuals that success is not always the end reward. Adam appears to be reaching out to all attending or interested in attending college individuals.

As a student returning to college after 8 years, the question "Is college worth it" has crossed my mind a hundred times. I came from a state that tuition and books for full time was half the amount of the tuition for the two classes I am taking now. Moving to the south had put a screeching halt on my education because the economy is in a slump and education costs are too high. Putting myself in such debt did not seem to make much sense and part of me now still believes that this is a mistake. I fear that it's going to hurt me later financially and disrupt the life I have established for myself as well as failing to find a better career that will help pay back the student loans. As far as quality of education the years of school I have acquired seems to be the same. Some of the presidents argue that higher education is to focus on preparing you to work and the others argue that it's to provide intellectual growth. In some sense I believe these are both true. We attend college to seek and obtain information on our desired career. In doing so, we are growing as a person from that knowledge and the interaction of the college life. In answer to "Is college worth it?" Yes! I believe that in making a good decision on what degree or field of study will lead to a successful life and career.

Michelle Adam uses published surveys from "Is College Worth It?" to explain that education may not be worth the price we pay. According to one survey, taken by phone and online, "...(the) majority of the public felt it was not getting a good value for its money and presidents at large were dissatisfied with the direction of higher education". If the presidents are not happy with the direction their education system is going, how can we the public pay all that money to attend and expect good results. Adam further explains that "...those with degrees are paying back loans that impact their quality of life". A student loan is a hardship on some and their families. Others the degree had no impact on the career they seek. So before signing the bottom line, ask yourself "Is this what's best for me at this time?" "Will this help advance me in life?" "Is College Worth It?"