In 2001, MIT launched its OpenCourseWare site. This feature opened up access to MIT course materials, lectures, syllabi, and more to allow learners to pursue their curiosity from anywhere in the world. Allowing people access to MIT course materials without them having been admitted to the esteemed university, or being in pursuit of a degree there, was revolutionary. Now, in 2024, with increased access to college materials, and major employers (Google, IBM, Delta, and others) removing degree requirements from job descriptions, an increasing number of families with students graduating from high school ask the question, “Do students still need a college degree?” “Is a college degree still important?”
The vast majority of college counselors, including this one, will posit that a college degree still holds a great deal of importance. Here are my top six reasons why this is true:
#1 -Greater earnings over a lifetime:
It is still the case that bachelor’s degree holders will earn more over a lifetime than those who have a high school diploma. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2022 that, “bachelor’s degree holders took home a median wage of $1,432 per week, while workers with just a high school diploma earned only $853. That’s a difference of 68%.”
Reports from 2022 also showed that bachelor’s degree holders saw a lower rate of unemployment than overall workers.
Bachelor’s degree holders were also more recession-proof than other workers.
#2 - Increased personal fulfillment:
A K-12 education will often offer a student a glimpse into specific subjects while requiring well-rounded instruction. Through this experience, many will find a deep love of learning, reading, and writing. They will hopefully find their voice and want to share it with the world. Those students are poised for great success in higher education. They will receive personal satisfaction from studying subjects in depth that are quite challenging and specific and being able to excel and succeed at a high level.
College can engage curiosity and allow students to challenge themselves, which will help them better build arguments and see the world differently.
Staunch supporters of liberal arts and those who have studied outcomes of liberal arts majors find that: “longer-term success and life fulfillment does not come from specialization but from broader study and involvement in an educational community, and these are among the essential characteristics of liberal arts education.”
"Bachelor’s degree holders were more recession-proof than other workers"
#3 - Job Flexibility and specialization:
Highly sought-after fields such as engineering, medicine, and law require specialization and post-graduate studies. To engage in these careers, folks must first have a bachelor’s degree.
If folks are interested in making a career change, and they have the critical thinking skills that are emphasized at the undergraduate level, they may have an easier time with that transition.
#4 - Civic engagement:
While obtaining a college degree, students are more likely to engage in civil discourse, educate themselves on important issues related to our society, and potentially learn more about their civil rights and responsibilities.
There have been studies showing that educational attainment is positively associated with voting.
#5 - Health and Wellness:
Studies have shown that folks who obtain a college degree have better physical health over time.
Folks with a college degree may be more likely to obtain jobs in industries that are safer and associated with less health risk.
Individuals who pursue higher education are more likely to take preventative self-care measures in their day-to-day lives.
#6 - Social Relationships:
The connections one makes in college may lead to friendships over time, romantic relations, and networking connections for career advancement.
Institutions of higher education often bring people together from many walks of life and folks can learn from one another.
Whether you are the first in your family to go to college or you are following in the footsteps of your family members and forging your path, there is still great value in attaining a college degree.
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