Is College a Scam? Reasons why College is Worth it or Not

The college is an institution that serves a purpose.  It provides students with the means to own their education. On the surface, the college offers a degree and a relatively more comfortable lifestyle. But is it really worth it? 

The topic of college being a scam has been hotly debated for years.  So, we are here to ask: is college a scam? Follow us as we divulge more details to you. 

College is not a scam because it offers an opportunity to learn and build a career and a profession from education. As a learning institution, college becomes a perfect place to invest your time and money for a better life through learning and socializing.

Therefore, the thought of college being a scam is mediocre that negates the very fabric of society.

Why some people think College is a scam

It Costs too Much Money

The average cost of attending a public university in the U.S. is $21,000 per year, and private universities are even more expensive. Notably, the average cost of just one year at an elite college running over $50,000.

College Gives you Nothing it Gives you Nothing Except Debt

College is a scam because it is so expensive and gives you nothing except an enormous debt that you will be paying for years.

Students who manage to graduate from college can expect to get burdened with more than a quarter of a million dollars before they even get their first job.

 Such is enough debt to prevent many young people from buying their first home or starting a family. It also limits career choices for recent graduates because high student loan payments tend to eliminate jobs that don’t pay very well.

Why Do Some People Say that College is a Scam?

The reason that people say college is a scam is that you are paying for something that you probably will not use in your real life.

A college is a place for people who want to learn more about the world, but nowadays, it is mostly about getting a job. It does not prepare you for the real world.

Also, some people think college is a scam because it has become more about making money than actual learning.

Students have a lot of work to do and have many demands on their time, but professors and administrators always seem to have time to make more rules, give more assignments, and raise tuition while salaries stay the same.

In summary, people overrated the issue in college because of the following reasons:  

1. You can get a good job without a college degree.
2. College doesn’t teach you everything you need to know.
3. You can get a good job with only some college knowledge. 

Reasons Why College is it NOT a scam?

Let’s start by defining the word “scam.” Scam means “a dishonest scheme; swindle.” So by that definition, college is not a scam. However, it is a place to: 

1. Making Connections

College is one of few legal ways to establish a network of contacts. It does not matter if you go to Harvard or if you go to a community college. If you spend enough time around people who share your interests and have the same goals, then chances are you will meet one or two people who can help you reach those goals. 

2. College also Helps you Get your Foot in the Door for Jobs

Not only does a degree help you get a job, but it can also lead to higher pay and better positions in your career. It’s also good for your health, both physically and mentally.

Tests prove that people with college degrees live longer than those who don’t have them.

College graduates also have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and depression.

Plus, they’re happier and more likely to be active in their community.

3. Learning New Skills

Having a degree shows that you have the determination and dedication to complete your education, which is something employers look for in their employees.

What Makes College a Worthy it

College is a worthy investment for many people, but not everyone. Here are some factors to weigh as you decide if it is the right move for you:

1.Your Future Income

If you are likely to earn more as a graduate, then college is likely a good investment. If your income will be similar regardless of whether you have a degree, then it might not be worth it.

2.Credential Value

Some jobs require college degrees and others don’t. A bachelor’s degree may or may not make you more attractive than a candidate with just some college experience. Your specific career field — and how employers in that field view degrees — can be critical during your job search.

3.Costs and Grants

The sticker price of tuition, fees, and room and board at most colleges does not include everything you will pay out of pocket to get your degree.

Room and board can vary widely depending on where you live, but costs do not stop there.

 Books and supplies, transportation, meals during breaks, and other incidentals can easily add thousands of dollars to your total cost of attendance.

Federal grants are available to help offset some of these costs; scholarships might be a possibility, too.

4.Personal Growth

People develop in many ways while they are in college. Such could be intellectually, emotionally, and socially.  Those changes can affect their future lives.

Some people find that college is a time when they grow more confident, opening doors they might not otherwise have walked through.

After graduation, they may approach their careers differently than they would have if they hadn’t gone to college, which could mean greater success in their fields of study.

5.Experiential Learning 

College offers students the opportunity to explore different areas of interest.

FAQs on College worth

Is college is a waste of money

It depends on what career you choose. Many jobs are only available to people with college degrees, but others don’t require them. College is the best decision for your future that you can make. It is one thing that has the highest return on investment in terms of average lifetime earnings in the US.

Is college a pyramid scheme?

It is not. A pyramid scheme is a way to get money from recruiting. Many employers prefer candidates who finished their studies and achieved a good result. They also want to employ candidates who are aware of the latest information, skills, and technologies.

Moreover, a college education is necessary for the development of critical thinking, which is an important skill in business and any other kind of activity.

Are colleges scamming students?

Probably not, but that does not mean they are not taking advantage of them. Colleges often offer some of the best financial aid packages. However, students should be on the lookout for colleges that overcharge them for their education.

Is college worth it?

The question of whether or not college is worth it really depends on your situation. If you are willing to put up with the hard work and take out loans or get a job on top of going to school full-time, then it could be worth it for you. 

Investing in education pays off. On average, a bachelor’s degree will pay off with a lifetime earnings premium of $1 million.

College education generally leads to higher lifetime earnings than if you do not get one. College can prepare you for the workforce, making it easier for you to earn more money throughout your career.

Why college is a waste of time?

The first reason why college is a waste of time for most students is that most jobs do not require a college degree. There are countless stories of people with no degrees doing very well for themselves.

The fact is that many jobs can be learned without going to college, either through apprenticeships or on-the-job training. Many people did this and make much more money than their friends who went to college.

Many students feel that their college education does not prepare them for their future careers. After four years in college, students graduate with no real experience except for what they learned in the classroom.

Why college is not worth it?

College costs are soaring and are becoming increasingly burdensome for students who graduate into a weak job market with a lot of debt to pay off. The median debt for a student who graduates from college is $25,000. That does not include room and board or other expenses. It is more than it would cost to buy a new car.

The main reason why college is not worth it is that it does little to prepare students for work. Surveys consistently show that employers want their workers to work independently, think critically, and solve problems

Why does everyone go to college?

The most important reason for going to college is developing the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. That is why employers value employees with a college degree.

College can help you develop skills that are valuable in the workplace and throughout your life.

A 2015 survey of more than 500 hiring managers and human resource professionals found the following:  94% of employers believe that a college education is necessary for new hires who want to get a promotion within one year of joining the workforce.