“Does college really matter?” This is what many teenagers ask themselves towards the end of high school. Still deciding what they want to do in the future. Deciding if they want to go to college and build their education more. Or go straight out into the world and try to figure it out. But will going to college still matter in 10 years? Let’s see. 

There’s many reasons people go to college. A main reason is that people need job market demands and for those job market demands they need higher education then just high school. A large percent of future jobs will require some level of higher education. And out of many of those jobs they will demand a bachelor’s degree or higher. Which means if you were wanting to apply for a job that requires a bachelor’s degree or higher you’d need to go to college to get the job you are wanting. 

Another large reason teenagers decide to go to college is that when you go to college you can go to higher paying jobs. Or even higher earring jobs. College graduates typically earn more than those with a degree. And this trend is expected to continue throughout the years. If you go to college and get an Associate Degree you typically make about 41k a year, if you get a Bachelor’s degree you’re looking at around 57k a year, and if you get a Graduation degree you make around 71k a year. While a high school graduate can make you about 40k a year.

Having a college degree helps people with economic stability. A college degree is linked to a higher likelihood of homeownership and less poverty. Having a college degree also shows employers about the person’s base understanding and maturity. It shows how someone can go to school for around 16-18 years, and shows how they are wanting a high paying and earning job. It shows commitment, dedication, and teamworking skills. So it looks really well to people who are wanting to employ you. 

A college degree is a gateway to career growth. It gives you opportunities of advancement, not to just get a job. Jobs like S.T.E.M and health care consistently show growth potential for degree holders. So even if you don’t get the job you want, S.T.E.M and health care opportunities can help you get a job all because you had a college degree. This just shows that even if you have a college degree you can get a well paying job all because a college degree

So as you can see, not only does college affect you in many positive ways. But it shows how important it is for a lot of people. It provides good homeownership, jobs, earnings, money, and just looks good to have a college degree. It can help you significantly in the future. And it just looks good to have it. Even if you don’t use it. Because you always could get a job in the future that may need some sort of college degree.