Given how much tuition is rising and the inability to truly quantify the value of a college degree, many parents may be wondering whether investing any money in college is a good idea these days.
The short and easy answer is that college is one of the best investments you can make in your future, or that of your children. As a parent, you may want to start putting money into a special college fund early that can then go towards future tuition. If you are a high school student and are thinking of enrolling in college when you gradate, you may want to think about saving your money and investing it. Here are five reasons to invest in college.
- Higher Earnings Potential
With a bachelor’s degree, you will be able to fast track yourself to much better, higher paying jobs than you would without one. Even if you don’t decide to find a job in the field that you majored in, you will still be able to earn more per hour in any field just because you have a degree. They also say that people with bachelor’s degrees tend to earn up to $2 million more than those without over the course of a lifetime.
- Better Job Opportunities
In addition to being able to charge more for the work that you do, you will also be qualified for a lot more jobs if you have a bachelor’s degree than you would with only a high school diploma. If you want to be in a position where you are able to get your foot in many different doors, you want to invest in college. Indeed, if you don’t have a college degree, it will be very hard to find yourself in senior business positions. You could be stuck at an entry-level position and you may be struggling just to get by.
- Follow Your Passion
Another reason why investing in college is important is because you want to be able to follow your passion. If it is your dream to work in a highly specialized field, such as astronomy, chemistry, or accounting, then you need a college degree. You can think of your college degree like a key to get into a very covetable world. Sure, you could adjust your dreams and find work in fields requiring less formal education, but not if you want to be a doctor, a lawyer or any other position that requires an expansive knowledge of a singular field.
- Family Stability
When you have a college degree then you also have a much higher chance of finding a more stable job. Many of these jobs come with health benefits and 401k retirement accounts, which can make your life quite secure. If, or when, you have a family, this stability will be a huge help. There is nothing like being able to raise your children in an established environment.
- Stay Healthy
On top of everything, investing in college will allow you the opportunity to earn enough money to live a healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, poverty and low income earnings (which is more prevalent among non-college educated individuals), is one of the leading indicators of poor health. In the end, investing in college – whether it is New England College or Harvard – is a little bit like investing in your future, to make sure it is a bright and happy one.
