Do you think having a college education will continue to become more important? Or will it lose importance since more and more people aren't going to be able to afford it?

Hi Jordan,

I think you're asking a great question, and one that deserves more consideration than it typically receives. In this day and age, everyone is told they need to go to college to be successful, but that is not necessarily true.

Education is important, but education is available outside of colleges/universities. Right now in the United States, there is a significant shortage in skilled trade workers, such as electricians, plumbers, etc. These are typically not jobs that will make you a millionaire, but neither are most jobs that college educated individuals are striving for. For many, skilled trades are a great option, and pay very well, even compared to some jobs people attain after university. These are also jobs that are very difficult to automate.

At the end of the day, the individual needs to determine what is best for them.

Hi Jordan,

Really good question. I personally believe that having a college education will become more important. Despite the absurd cost of getting an undergraduate degree, its importance in making your more competitive and eligible for high-profile jobs will only become more solidified. The job market is extremely competitive given that this generation is the most well educated generation in human history. Those who do not have a college degree will largely be unable to compete with those who do. Even more so, getting a graduate degree is strongly encouraged as this will place you above all those who just have an undergrad degree. Back about 50 years ago, graduating high school could get you a well paying job; nowadays a high school degree is most often not enough and having an undergrad degree is required. An undergrad degree these days is almost always required for most jobs and preference is given to those with a Masters, JD, MBA, or Phd.

You also should be looking at what is happening overseas. India and China, which both have populations over 1 billion people, are churning out high performing degree holders at a rate that eclipses the United States. This is good in the sense that it breeds competition, spurs innovation, and increases growth, but it also means that you will be competing with a much larger pool of people that your parents likely did not have to compete with. Overseas workers look to the United States for good jobs and this means that competition is coming to United States. To place yourself in a good position, I strongly strongly recommend getting an undergrad degree AND a graduate degree if possible.

This may seem all "doom and gloom" but I think otherwise; the world is better off by having an educated populace. There are serious challenges in the world and the more of us who are educated the better. The cost of getting an education in the United States is definitely absurd, but getting an education will only become more important as time goes on.

I hope this helps and inspires you to go to school!!

Best,

Austin