[Summary: Is college a scam? It depends entirely on you and your future goals. If your dream job, like an orthopedic surgeon, requires a degree, then college is a vital step where you’ll build foundational knowledge. Even if you don’t have a clear career path yet, college can help you discover your passions through diverse courses and provide valuable career resources like internships and networking opportunities. While it’s a significant investment, college graduates generally earn more and have broader career access. To know if college is right for you, consider your specific career aspirations and how you’ll utilize all of the resources available. And always research accredited schools and legitimate financial aid sources while making your decision.]
There’s no question that college is a big investment. You’re committing four years of your time, your effort and your money. But chances are good you have at least one person in your life who says college is a scam. They might argue that you’re wasting your time pursuing a college degree when you could be working and earning money instead. That’s a fair point, but the answer to whether or not college is a scam isn’t yes or no. It’s more like, it depends.
Let’s take a closer look.
For some people, college isn’t absolutely necessary. For others, it’s a super important life experience. It all depends on the person and what they want or expect from their future. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Your Dream Job Requires It
If you are planning to be an orthopedic surgeon or dream of teaching high school biology, college is a necessary part of your journey toward your career. Many jobs require a college degree, and some even require an advanced degree, such as an MBA or a doctorate. If you have your heart set on a career that requires a degree, college is absolutely not a scam. It’s a vital step and place where you will start to learn about your field and gain the skills necessary to be successful in that job.
College coursework offers a strong foundation to build on, which is why schools have required courses that students must take before they enroll in higher-level courses. You need the foundational knowledge as a strong base to support you as you move into advanced courses. This is especially important if you think you might want or need to continue on to graduate school after you earn a bachelor’s degree. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can register for upper-level courses. If your school offers graduate degrees, you might even be able to start taking graduate-level courses while you are an undergrad.
You Don’t Have a Dream Job (Yet)
College can also be super helpful if you aren’t sure what you want to study. That might seem odd, but it’s totally normal to start college without knowing what your major will be. That’s part of the magic of general education requirements. You have to take classes in many subjects, and there’s a great chance you’ll find something in one of those classes that really captures your interest.
If you’re not quite sure what your future profession will be, try to take advantage of the full scope of what your college offers. Look through the course listings and choose some electives that stretch you: a course in zoology might introduce you to a career in animal caretaking that is a perfect fit for you, or a course on creative writing might lead you to a career in teaching because you loved workshopping your classmates’ drafts. If you haven’t yet figured out a clear career path, college is a perfect opportunity to try on different subjects and see what sparks a fire in you.
It’s also worth noting that colleges often offer a host of career resources for students, from mock interviews to resume help to internship placement services. Your school may offer dedicated career counselors or advisors who can point you in the direction of job-searching tools and online resources to help you figure out what you could do with specific majors. At Olivet, we also offer access to platforms like Handshake, Career One Stop, and My Next Move, that are all designed to help students figure out what kinds of careers are a good match for their skill set.
Try It Before You Buy It
In addition to exposing you to a bunch of subjects that you may not have studied before, college also gives you a chance to take some jobs for a test run through internships or shadowing opportunities. An internship is a short-term supervised work experience with an organization. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and they give students the chance to see what it’s really like working for a certain company or organization. Internships can also provide hands-on training and a unique opportunity to learn industry-specific skills or tools.
Plus, you never know who you might meet at an internship. These connections can play a big role in helping students secure a position after graduation. Internships can also connect you to alumni, who are often happy to offer career advice and encouragement. Many graduates are passionate about their alma mater, so they often go above and beyond to help students. A college degree gets you into this exclusive club and connects you to a vast and powerful network of alumni in nearly every imaginable field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you can decide if college is right for you, it’s important to assess if it supports your career goals. We’re here to answer your frequently asked questions about whether college is worth it and what makes it right for you.
Is College a Scam?
College is not a scam, but it has become an increasingly high-stakes investment. Its value depends heavily on your chosen field of study and your specific career goals. College is not the only option, but for some careers, it may be mandatory. It can also increase your chances of finding the right opportunity.
Is College Worth It?
College is worth it, since it’s mandatory for many chosen careers and it directly impacts your earning potential. Fields like medicine, law, engineering and teaching still legally require formal degrees and specialized licensing. Data also show that college graduates with bachelor’s degrees are half as likely to be unemployed and typically earn more over their lifetimes.
Why Do People Say College Is a Scam?
Some people consider college a scam because it’s a significant financial and time investment, when you could already be earning an income with a career that does not require higher education. Additionally, some unethical institutions have taken advantage of students, leaving many skeptical of trusting a college.
How to Know if College Is Right for You?
Knowing if college is right for you comes down to your chosen field and career goals. College can be right for you if:
- You know exactly what profession you are aiming for, and it requires a degree.
- You want to discover your chosen career field naturally through exploring electives.
- You utilize the college’s resources, such as career centers, networking events, and internships, rather than just attending classes.
Buyer Beware
While college itself isn’t a scam, not every institution operates with the same level of integrity. There are, unfortunately, some colleges out there that are run unethically, and students have fallen victim to these schemes. As you do your research, make sure you are looking at accredited schools with strong local and national reputations.
The same thing goes for financial aid. The two safest places to get financial aid information are from your school’s financial aid office and from the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid. You should never pay for financial aid resources.
The bottom line: College graduates, on average, earn more over their lifetime and have access to a wider range of career opportunities.
The best way to know if college is right for you? Experience it. Visit campus, sit in on a class and picture yourself here.