After graduating high school, one might question going through another four years of school. Influencers on social media further feed into this hesitancy by emphasizing crushing student loan debt and by rambling on about how a college degree is not necessary and that all you have to do is “sit down and start the grind.” However, they omit the fact that the chance of success and wealth without a college degree is slim. Sure, schoolwork can be stressful and costly. But the long-term benefits of attending college can uplift a future career and set you apart from others. 

In 2023, according to the Education Data Initiative, to complete a bachelor’s degree, the average student borrows over $30,000. With studies showing that there’s a steady increase in college tuition, many students may think twice about attending college as it’s very likely they’ll end up with student debt. 

However, the job opportunities that await a student are much greater when they’ve received a college degree. A study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that, in 2022, the median income of bachelor’s degree recipients was about 68% higher than those with only a high school diploma, which indicates that degrees can help pay back student debt as there are greater chances of a stable income and success in the future.

Furthermore, people with college degrees tend to be healthier as well. According to the College Board, in 2019, about 64% of college graduates have access to employer-sponsored insurance, while only 52% of people with high school diplomas did. This shows that in addition to higher chances of employment, college degrees can later aid in sustaining individual health and reducing the economic burden of medical bills.

With influencers pushing the idea that higher education is useless, students may be tempted into not attending college and trying to become successful on their own. But not attending college is a decision that students of high socioeconomic status and a few lucky individuals can make because they have financial help to fall back on. For lower-income students who are unable to take such risks, college is essential. It is a safer option that can provide opportunities to better their livelihoods and aid their future careers 

Some high schoolers may consider going to college an unappealing option, but getting accepted into college is life-changing for many. In general, from improving a person’s chance of receiving a well-paying job to health benefits, college provides a variety of benefits. While the process may seem strenuous, the outcome of a college degree will carry a person much farther in life.