Is College Worth It? The Pros and Cons of Getting a US College Degree

What are the benefits of college?

The first step to answering the question of “Is college worth it?” is to analyze the benefits that come with a college degree in the United States.

Better salary and more career growth opportunities

The two main selling points of college education are:

• Higher salary on average than people without degrees
• Better career opportunities - and more of them in general

For example, college grads are more likely to earn a higher salary than workers without a tertiary education degree. The 2024 OECD report showed that full-time college-educated workers earn almost twice as much on average as those with below upper secondary attainment.

College graduates are also, on average, more likely to be employed and have more job prospects than people without a degree.

Personal growth and networking opportunities

A college career provides knowledge and skills learning and affects personal and social skills.

It's also one of the best places to establish and grow a network of peers and mentors in your field.

You can do this through:

• College friendships
• Study abroad exchanges
• Professor-student relationships

The education journey will enable you to gain more self-confidence, set new goals for the future, and learn how to manage time efficiently.

An opportunity to study abroad

Experiences abroad are a great way to challenge yourself and experience life in a new country. You can complete a full degree abroad or spend just a few semesters at a host university. Depending on which program you apply for, you will have different benefits.

One of the most popular exchange programs, Erasmus+, offers students a wide range of opportunities abroad in European and extra-European countries for up to 12 months. You can also get an Erasmus+ grant to contribute to your travel and living costs.

💡 An often overlooked benefit is that living abroad comes with an opportunity to learn a new language, study with peers from all around the world, and experience a new culture.

There is no right or wrong choice regarding where you can study abroad. But if you're curious about our favorite study abroad destinations, check out our Top 10 Places in the World to Study Abroad list.

Practical and academic skills

Do schools prepare students for the real world? Theoretical and practical knowledge are essential and two sides of the same coin.

Practical skills

Some universities and programs are more practice-focused. For example, Design and Engineering programs develop students' technical skills and hands-on experience. At the end of their Bachelor’s degree, students are often asked to complete a big project and submit an impressive portfolio of work.

Academic skills

Academic skills such as research, report writing and oral presentations, communication, and critical thinking are however the basis for many practical jobs.

There are many “theory-based” majors that teach you transferrable skills for many different jobs. For example, psychology programs equip students with knowledge and skills they can use in many fields, from therapy to user experience to human resource management.

The challenges college students face

Colleges in the US can be expensive

Getting a college degree can be expensive in the United States. Here are some examples of costs you can expect to deal with during your college years:

• Tuition fees: include money to be paid to the university for education
  Administrative costs: include payments for application, visa, and insurance fees for international students
• Accommodation: includes the cost of your bedroom/apartment on Campus or off Campus. The amount depends on bedroom size, availability of rooms, cost of living, and position.
• Living and travel costs: includes money for transportation to/from airports, bus tickets, cost of food, and main daily expenses

Keep in mind that your country of choice will determine the general tuition structure, as well as the cost of living. You can check out our Country Guides for an overview of the study abroad expenses around the world.

College demands more of your time than high school

Is college harder than high school? Yes, in most cases. The academic rigor of college courses can be significantly more demanding than high school, requiring a deep dedication to studies and a passion for the chosen field.

Developing good study habits and honing time management skills can be instrumental in overcoming these hurdles. We've created a free guide covering practical tips on how to improve your time management skills. 

Some people have trouble adapting socially

Going to college often means stepping into a diverse and multifaceted social environment. For many, this transition can be tough.

• Most of us never learned how to build friendships from scratch, as we've simply gotten closer to our fellow classmates and neighbors due to the pure proximity factor.
• Making friends as an adult is different from making childhood friendships, as adults have already formed daily habits and personalities to an extent.

The good news is that most people feel this way at college, so many people will be in the exact situation you'd be in as well, trying to navigate those first few stages of forming a friendship and asking to hang out often.

Uncertain career outcomes

Not all college majors provide a safe, certain and one-way-trip path to a job after the graduation.

It's a good idea to actively engage in internships, research projects, and networking events to enhance your employability and forge connections in your field.

Alternatives to college education

If studying for a college degree for 3 years (or more) is not the right choice for you right now, there are plenty of other opportunities out there:

• Specialization courses: many institutions offer one-year courses in specific fields, such as cosmetology, design, or IT.
• Internships and apprenticeships: you can also seek an apprenticeship in your home country or abroad. For example, here’s the official U.K. government list of apprenticeships you can pursue in different fields. These include on-the-job training and taught lessons at a college or a training institution for up to 20 percent of their working hours.
• Online training courses: the benefits of this type of education certainly include saving time and fuel. Although some courses are quite expensive, they are innovative and open up many digital opportunities.
• Online learning platforms: this option is a smart alternative for people needing additional flexibility. Lessons are often recorded, and materials are uploaded to an online learning platform, so you can access them at any time.

Need help applying to American colleges?

We've gathered a list of all the documents you need to apply to American colleges, along with valuable tips on how to make your application stand out in the sea of other qualified candidates. 

Simply fill out the form below to access the handbook.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether college is worth it depends on the person.

College graduates earn more on average across their lifetime, but it's also true that some students accrue significant debt in pursuit of a degree.

The best approach is to consider what kind of job you'd like to do after university and explore its requirements: Do entry-level jobs in that field demand a degree, or do they value on-the-job experience more?

You must reflect honestly on your goals and create a career plan, and then decide whether the benefits of college outweigh the cons.

Read more:

• The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Bachelor’s Degree in the USA
• Is a Master's Degree Worth It?
• Master's Degree Costs and Financial Guide