Only you can determine if college is worth the investment of time, effort and financial resources for you. It’s a decision you’ll need to make after carefully weighing the benefits of going to college with potential drawbacks, and after reflecting on your career goals and, overall, what you hope to get out of your life. If you’re a current high school student looking ahead to life after graduation, you should also consider talking to your parents or guardians about earning a college degree.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that college graduates tend to have the opportunity to earn more^{(See disclaimer 1 )}and have a greater variety of job opportunities available to them.^{(See disclaimer 2 )}

Earning a college degree is an important start for some future careers through gaining experience, connections, knowledge and more. Consider the following potential benefits of achieving a college degree:

1. Higher Education May Correlate to Higher Earnings

Is college worth it, considering the cost of attending school and the likelihood of student loan debt? In addition to tuition and student fees, you'll need to budget for textbooks, technology (e.g., a laptop and any specialized software required) and living expenses. Yet, it's important to note that students often do not pay the full cost of tuition because grants as well as private scholarships are available to many.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Furthermore, earning a college degree may be associated with the opportunity for higher earning potential after graduation. According to the BLS, the median weekly earnings of individuals with a bachelor’s degree were $1,543 as of May 2024, compared to $930 for those with a high school diploma. Those who held graduate degrees and/or professional degrees (such as medical degrees or law degrees) may expect higher median weekly earnings depending on their career paths.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Many employers value skills seen in individuals with college degrees.^{(See disclaimer 1)} Not only can a college degree teach important field- and occupation-specific skills (such as accounting or nursing), but the act of earning a college degree demonstrates that employees are able to plan ahead and meet deadlines.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

2. College May Open the Door to a Variety of Job Opportunities

It’s true that there are many jobs available to those without a college degree, such as trades, laborer positions and food service.^{(See disclaimer 2)} However, earning a college degree can open the door to a broader range of professions. A bachelor’s degree is a typical requirement for entry in 178 distinct professions tracked by the BLS.^{(See disclaimer 2)} (The BLS does not track all professions.)

Some of these professions that require a bachelor’s degree for entry and project to have the most number of job openings from 2023 to 2033 include:^{(See disclaimer 2 )}

• Registered nurses
• General and operations managers
• Accountants and auditors
• Software developers
• Elementary school teachers
• Marketing specialists and market research analysts
• Human resources specialists

3. Opportunities to Enhance Academic Qualifications Later

Another reason why earning a bachelor’s degree could be the right choice for you is that it provides the necessary academic foundation for pursuing additional qualifications later on in life. For example, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in order to apply to a master’s degree program or to a professional school, such as law school, medical school or dentistry school.

4. Access to Professions That Serve the Public Interest

By committing to earn a college degree, you could be paving the way toward fulfilling an area of national need. Every community needs access to certain professionals, such as teachers and nurses. A bachelor’s degree can allow graduates to pursue occupations that serve the public.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

5. College Grads Are Often Philanthropic and Civic Participants

There are other ways that higher education serves the common good of the country. According to The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, compared to high school graduates, those with a college degree are over twice as likely to fulfill volunteer positions in their community.^{(See disclaimer 4 )}These can include volunteering at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, animal shelters and community programs for children. In addition, college graduates contribute almost 3.5^{(See disclaimer )}times more money to nonprofit causes as high school graduates do.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

What’s more, college graduates are more likely to participate in the civic functions of their community and the country as a whole. Compared to 52% of high school grads, about 75% of people who hold a bachelor’s degree vote during years in which there is a presidential election.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

6. College Provides a Transition to Adulthood

It isn’t always easy for an individual to move directly from high school to independent adulthood. College offers a smoother transition from high school to adulthood by providing for self-directed choice and independent living within a supported community with access to plenty of resources and assistance.

7. College Can Offer Opportunities for Personal Growth

College can be a time of self-discovery. You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life and backgrounds, potentially broadening your global perspective while also learning more about yourself and your values, beliefs and goals. You can try new things, discover new interests and work toward personal growth.

8. You Can Forge Lasting Friendships and Build a Professional Network

On any given day on a college campus, you may encounter countless new people, and any one of them could become a lifelong friend. New friendships can enrich the college experience and provide the basis for happy memories you can treasure for a lifetime.

In addition, you can start building a professional network in college. You'll meet a diverse array of students going into the field you've chosen, as well as a wide range of other fields. Make an effort to cultivate good relationships with those students and keep in touch with them after college. Later on, you may be able to lean on individuals in your professional network when you’re interested in pursuing a new job or switching to a new field.

Grand Canyon University is a private Christian school that offers a wide variety of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, both online and on campus in Phoenix. From psychology and counseling to nursing and healthcare to teaching and school administration, you can choose from undergraduate and graduate degrees across a wide spectrum of fields.

If you’ve decided that college could be worth it for you, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor and explore the future that awaits you at our Christian learning community.