Why I Shouldn't Have Gone to College; The True Value of Higher Education in the 21st Century

Having read the title of this article, perhaps you are intrigued, confused, disgusted or possibly even in agreement. Whether you are thinking about college in your future or reflecting on it in your past, your experience may have been vastly different than mine. In fact, I can think of several scenarios where it almost certainly would be. Regardless, I encourage you to peruse and comment on my thoughts about matter.

Socially, college is a right of passage. A time of growth, independence and discovery. I cannot and will not discount these experiences, even if most of them seem to be associated with juvenile partying, underage drinking and gratuitous sex and abuse of privilege. What some people don't realize, however, when they emphasize this benefit of the college experience, is that not all of us get to have it.

I was not able to go to the college of my dreams. I was convinced I was being practical by attending a local private school so that I could save money on tuition, room and board and travel expenses. And I was. However, at $15,000 a year (of which, after scholarships and Stafford Loans, I was responsible for 1/3rd) I still had a hefty financial responsibility for a student. You see, not all of us have parents who had the ability to pay for our education. And I certainly wasn't going to ask them to go into debt for it. So, on top of my living expenses, car payments, insurance, tuition was still a huge stretch. I worked 3 jobs, an average of 45 hours a week and took a full class load. It should not be surprising then that I did not have time or energy to benefit from the social experience of college.

But what about education? Oh, I got an excellent education and enjoyed it immensely. I was in the honors program and graduated Magna Cum Lada (something I now doubt my ability to even spell). I built wonderful relationships with my professors and toyed around with the idea of graduate school or law school.

But here's the catch...I fell in love. Truly. I met and married my husband in my senior year and it changed my life. He was a man on a different path than me and I chose to embrace him for everything he was. Who knew it would happen, but I suspect it does to more than one. Now, 6 years later I am a happily married woman expecting our second child. I work part time for this reason only I HAVE TO PAY THE STUDENT LOANS!

What would life have been like if I hadn't gone to college? The job I was able to acquire in a slumping economy after graduation paid no more because of my degree. My husband, who never finished college, makes far more than I would likely be now if I had pursued my career. So what was it all for?

Now who could say what the future would bring for me, or what it holds for you? I can say, however, that if you must be financially responsible for your own tuition, think carefully about why you want to go to or back to school. Do you really need a degree to pursue your dreams. If they involve being a doctor, lawyer, engineer or some other regulated field then YES, by all means go. If not, is it self confidence or social acceptance you are seeking by attending? Is it the experience? Because college is a very expensive way to gain those things. A library and a few motivational tools could get you a long way.

So here is the clincher for me. Is higher education really worth something in our society? Yes. Is it worth what we pay for it? No. Typically you can afford to make 15-20% less over your lifetime without a degree if you are motivated and hardworking. It will more than be balanced out if you have to utilize student loans, even government subsidized ones, to pay for the education. When my oldest daughter is ready to enter college, I will finally finish paying for my degree. The one I'm not using. Yes, I do work part time, but only to cover the student loan payments. What a shame.