In comparison to previous years, there has been an increase in the significance of higher education. Not only does it promise more job opportunities and a comfortable lifestyle, but it also allows for personal development and satisfaction. Americans have also begun to recognize the increased benefits of education. According to The National Center of Public Policy and Higher Education, 84% of Americans claim that higher education is very important, and 66% of Americans who did not graduate from college say they wish they had. Hence, we can conclude that education is important but rarely do we understand the specifics as to why. In general, the benefits of higher education can be summarized in the following three categories:
1. Job Prospects
On average across OECD countries, 83% of the population with tertiary education is employed. Moreover, employment rates for men and women with tertiary education have consistently been higher than for those without over the past 14 years. Education in America has become a gateway to the middle-class, despite the time, money, and resources it consumes. Acknowledging this, the government has continually expressed intent to increase college enrolment and affordability. Though there have been no advancements presently, school systems have been working towards making education accessible to low-income and disadvantaged students so that they too can have an equal opportunity in life.
2. Personal Development
The output of higher education is not limited to a degree and an entry-level job. Individuals also gain and strengthen a variety of skills that have practical applications and value. Most notably, this includes written and verbal communication skills, which allow individuals to communicate effectively with others. Along with communication, one will also gain critical thinking skills that will aid them in solving personal and professional problems. Furthermore, the ability to think critically allows one to reflect on and recognize their strengths and weaknesses and improve upon them accordingly. Lastly, in higher education settings, students are given more responsibility which requires them to take the initiative to manage their time well. This strengthens one’s discipline, which is a transferable skill to all other areas of life.
3. Quality of Life
As previously mentioned, obtaining higher education allows one to live a middle-class life. In specifics, this entails meeting economic and health standards. By definition, a middle-class income is considered to be anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000. The median yearly income of someone with a 4-year bachelor’s degree is $56,500. Even taking into account the repayment of student loan debt, two-year and four-year degree-holders tend to earn substantially more over their lifetimes than those with only a high school diploma. In terms of health, people who obtain post-secondary education tend to make healthier choices. They also have sufficient incomes to access basic health care, which many without post-secondary degrees struggle to do.
Moving forward, we must make education more accessible to those who cannot afford it. EEqual, a youth-led non-profit working to support students in poverty and homelessness, fulfills this goal through our two pillars – perform and inform. By doing so, EEqual is able to turn activism into action and also make an impact with information. This, in turn, ensures that EEqual is helping students achieve their full potential in education regardless of economic status.
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