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Is College Worth It? Consider These Factors Before Enrolling

Key Takeaways

  • Public confidence in the value of higher education has waned, leaving many students wondering if college is worth the investment of time and money.
  • Workers with four-year college degrees earn higher wages and experience lower levels of unemployment than those with only a high school diploma.
  • Many professions demand a college degree, but some well-paying jobs only require an apprenticeship or vocational training.
  • The average net cost of attending college is about $15,200 per year at public institutions and $29,700 at private, nonprofit colleges and universities.
  • Thirty-eight percent of first-time, full-time college students borrow money to pay for college, with an average loan amount of $7,700 per academic year.

Source: Forbes (2024). Is College Worth It? Consider These Factors Before Enrolling.