IndexPros of a college educationCons of a college degreeConclusionReferencesIntroduction: Do you need a college degree to be successful? An essay on this question should analyze the pros and cons of a college education, to understand whether it is worth getting a degree. Earning a college degree is an essential step in one's life as it is a fundamental part of the American dream. People believe that a college degree helps them acquire a good job, buy a house and raise a family. Universities have increased the number of courses so that they can accommodate every individual who dreams of earning a degree. Those who argue that earning a college degree is worth it argue that college graduates are more likely to earn higher wages, higher employment rates, and acquire more benefits than high school graduates. Additionally, people believe that college degrees make individuals have more interpersonal skills that help them achieve life goals. Additionally, some people argue that a college degree isn't worth it due to the accumulation of college loans, which prevents graduates from saving after finding a job. For example, during colonial America, colonial colleges were attended by wealthy Puritans, who focused on the models of Scottish and British universities. These universities focused on the moral character and general education of students. Thesis Statement: Therefore, due to the emergence of several universities and colleges around the world, this article will focus on the question of whether a college degree is essential for getting a well-paying job. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Context: In the 1900s, institutions were developed to educate groups that were excluded from ancient colleges such as blacks, immigrants, women, and others. Roman Catholics. Black colleges were limited to agricultural and elementary schools, which offered a minimum college-level education. For example, colleges built on the western frontier of the United States had fewer people attending them. The goal of attending colleges during the 1900s was to obtain a teaching license that would help people teach in public schools. In recent years, a college education has become a significant investment that allows people to develop their skills and prepare for skilled jobs. Therefore, over the years, universities have grown and expanded, thereby improving the quality of education offered to undergraduate students. Pros of College Education Topic Sentence: Employers consider people with college degrees as having appropriate skills that promote the delivery of quality services. For example, individuals with strong communication skills can communicate effectively with customers, leading to the achievement of business objectives. Faculty at universities try to cultivate critical thinking skills through class presentations, note-taking, and essay writing. Additionally, graduates want careers in which they feel secure and fulfilled. For example, college graduates enjoy employment benefits and higher income than high school graduates. Comment: Therefore, individuals with college degrees possess adequate skills that assist them in acquiring high-income job opportunities. Topic Sentence: Consequently, college degrees allow graduates to become empowered, thereby creating a developed sense of self. Evidence and Citations: In addition to the knowledge acquired, graduates possess aunderstanding the various responsibilities that impact their daily existence. Comment: Graduates understand how different markets affect retirements and tend to understand vital contracts. Additionally, college degrees allow graduates to manage and become familiar with their finances. Individuals with college degrees have self-esteem and take pride in finding agency over how to change circumstances that lead to transforming societies. In the job market, graduates offer various ideas to employers that help them in decision making. Topic Sentence: Furthermore, college degrees mean that people enjoy a higher income than high school graduates. Individuals with a bachelor's or master's degree have more opportunities to work in higher-paying jobs, which are considered to require advanced skills. There is a large gap between the earnings made by school leavers and graduates. Comment: For example, high school graduates can earn an average of $30,000 per year, while college graduates earn an average of $50,000 per year. The salary afforded to individuals with a college degree increases significantly, thus making them financially stable. Therefore, you need to have a college degree in case you are determined to earn a higher income. Topic Sentence: A college degree helps you survive during hardships as you have marketable skills and your education level is higher than others. Evidence and Citations: In universities, individuals acquire a broad knowledge base on how to survive during hardships, thus gaining satisfaction in life. Additionally, graduates who attend a local college can maintain their current job while enjoying the benefits available to a degree holder. Comment: Graduates can make outdated decisions that help solve problems faced in life. Therefore, with a college degree, people can take advantage of all the opportunities, thus earning a living. Cons of Degree A bachelor's or master's degree is not a guarantee of a job as people tend to have difficulty looking for a job after graduation. Evidence and Citations: Some college degrees are competitive in the job market, allowing you to diversify. Additionally, people may end up suffering from depression as they experience the challenges of getting a job. Comment: To avoid such difficulties, it is possible to carry out preliminary research on marketable sectors. Whenever students choose schools, they can consider colleges that will provide them with the right skills they need to pursue a rewarding career. Therefore, the challenge of getting a job can limit graduates' success and delay saving for the future. Topic Sentence: As a result, students who study using loans face difficulties after completing their university degrees as they live with loans to pay. Education loans force people to find extra income that can be used to pay off debt. Additionally, you could cut back on essentials in your life and use the extra income to pay off debts. Loans hurt a person's retirement savings as they face difficulty saving. Individuals who start saving as soon as they start working, their savings accumulate faster due to compound interest. Additionally, as college graduates try to collect on student loans, it can be difficult to purchase a home and grow financially. Comment: Therefore, using student loans to earn a college degree makes it difficult for individuals to grow financially and develop. Phraseissue: The time it takes for students to complete their college degrees is long, thus increasing the cost of education. Students from humble backgrounds may find it difficult to pay for their degree due to its high costs. The time it takes an individual to complete their studies limits their chances of finding work early. Reducing the time it takes to finish their studies ensures they can enjoy all the benefits that come with a degree. Comment: For example, an individual may be limited in having access to opportunities and life experiences related to college degrees. Furthermore, specializing one's career creates space for the flooding of career choices, thus leaving most graduates unemployed. Due to the increase in unemployment rate among graduates, they end up becoming depressed because they are not satisfied. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion Concluding Paragraph: To answer the question “Do you need a college degree to be successful?” this essay analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of college education. Since the advantages of having a college degree outweigh its disadvantages, a college degree is essential for the development of one's life. Universities have increased the number of courses so that they can accommodate every individual who dreams of earning a degree. Those who argue that earning a college degree is worth it argue that college graduates are more likely to earn higher wages, higher employment rates, and acquire more benefits than high school graduates. The benefits of college degrees range from acquiring appropriate skills that help graduates tackle various tasks in the job market to earning a higher income in the workplace. Not to mention, people with college degrees have a better chance of securing job opportunities than college graduates. In turn, college degrees are expensive, thus forcing graduates to take out loans, which will ease them through their education. Repaying college loans can take longer, thus forcing the individual to take a long time before starting to save for retirement. Additionally, as college graduates try to collect on student loans, it can be difficult to purchase a home and grow financially. Therefore, students are encouraged to acquire a college degree as it is a lifelong investment and helps in making outdated decisions regarding one's life. References An, B. P. (2013). The impact of dual enrollment on college graduation: Do low-SES students benefit?. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 35(1), 57-75. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0162373712461933Bozick, R., & Estacion, A. (2014). Do student loans delay marriage? Debt repayment and family formation in young adulthood. Demographic Research, 30, 1865-1891. Retrieved from https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol30/69/default.htmCarnes, N., & Lupu, N. (2016). What is a degree for? The training and quality of leaders are being reconsidered. The newspaper of politics, 78(1), 35-49. Retrieved from https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/683027Ewert, S., Sykes, B.L., and Pettit, B. (2014). The degree of disadvantage: Incarceration and inequality in education. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences, 651(1), 24-43. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0002716213503100Harbour, C. P. (2014). John Dewey and the future of community college education. Bloomsbury Publishing, USA.Hu, A. (2014). The benefits for.