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Is a college education worth the money?

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Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#21

Post by bpm140 »

So many people look back and say college was the "best four years of their life." This is usually due to a sense of nostalgia, often aptly described as "a longing for simpler times."

I hated college when I was there. Sure there were fun parts, but there was also loads more pressure and a much greater opportunity to fail than I had experienced in high school. However, now that I'm pushing 40, I look back at college with a sense of fondness, thinking how much easier life was without a mortgage, two kids and the incredible cost of health insurance.

As a result, I think that most people look back at college and consider the money well spent because it was money spent pushing off the pressures of adulthood. So while the college education might not be worth the money, the college experience often is.

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#22

Post by csomar »

mechanician wrote: post #11
philwelch wrote: post #6

I said in another thread around here, "if you're going to get a liberal arts degree, either have enough money to afford it, or be so intensely interested in the liberal arts that you're willing to pay back your damn loans." But really, what I mean by that is a slight bit more direct (yet subtle) than it seems. It's quite possible that the study of purely academic subjects--subjects which have little chance of improvi…

I am an engineer. Being five years removed from undergrad, the most valuable parts of college were not electives in mechanics or control theory. They were the professors I interacted with, the football games I attended in the student section, the liberal arts and writing classes I was required to take, and the friends I made.

So you joined College just to play football, write essays and make friends? Can't you just make that within your network? (neighbors, clubs, events...)

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#23

Post by jrp »

ihodes wrote: post #12
mquander wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OK. 50 or 60 percent of U.S. high school graduates in 2009 went directly to college. What percentage of those do you think are studying academic subjects because they feel the subjects are "enriching their life"? 20%? 10%? 5%? 2%? The American 18-year-old is not a demographic in which you find many philosophers.

I think you'd be surprised. Maybe it's the company I keep, or the college I go to, but hell if not at least 90% of the kids who go here think they're "enriching their lives".

No. I am a grad student teaching first-year calculus. 90% are getting a chance to party and maybe 10% are the idealists.

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#25

Post by dustingetz »

mechanician wrote: post #11
philwelch wrote: post #6

I said in another thread around here, "if you're going to get a liberal arts degree, either have enough money to afford it, or be so intensely interested in the liberal arts that you're willing to pay back your damn loans." But really, what I mean by that is a slight bit more direct (yet subtle) than it seems. It's quite possible that the study of purely academic subjects--subjects which have little chance of improvi…

I am an engineer. Being five years removed from undergrad, the most valuable parts of college were not electives in mechanics or control theory. They were the professors I interacted with, the football games I attended in the student section, the liberal arts and writing classes I was required to take, and the friends I made.

did you pay for your 'education', or was it your rich parents?

ps, i agree with you, and i didn't pay for most of mine.

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#26

Post by iskander »

csomar wrote: post #22
mechanician wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am an engineer. Being five years removed from undergrad, the most valuable parts of college were not electives in mechanics or control theory. They were the professors I interacted with, the football games I attended in the student section, the liberal arts and writing classes I was required to take, and the friends I made.

So you joined College just to play football, write essays and make friends? Can't you just make that within your network? (neighbors, clubs, events...)

>Can't you just make that within your network? (neighbors, clubs, events...)

Many of my friends who didn't go to college (or commuted to college) held on to whichever high school friends also stayed behind. They didn't meet many new people or do many new things. While it's theoretically possible to seek out the same level of novelty and excitement college gives you, it's also hard enough that most people won't do it.

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#27

Post by GVRV »

timcederman wrote: post #24

I'm still amazed at the cost of a college education in the US. My computer engineering degree in Australia cost $15k total, then a PhD was free (with many, including myself, getting a scholarship to pay for living expenses).

Only because of HECS. I'm a full fee paying computer science student, and it'll cost me upwards of $60K

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#28

Post by [deleted] »

csomar wrote: post #22
mechanician wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am an engineer. Being five years removed from undergrad, the most valuable parts of college were not electives in mechanics or control theory. They were the professors I interacted with, the football games I attended in the student section, the liberal arts and writing classes I was required to take, and the friends I made.

So you joined College just to play football, write essays and make friends? Can't you just make that within your network? (neighbors, clubs, events...)

[deleted]

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#29

Post by krakensden »

mechanician wrote: post #11
philwelch wrote: post #6

I said in another thread around here, "if you're going to get a liberal arts degree, either have enough money to afford it, or be so intensely interested in the liberal arts that you're willing to pay back your damn loans." But really, what I mean by that is a slight bit more direct (yet subtle) than it seems. It's quite possible that the study of purely academic subjects--subjects which have little chance of improvi…

I am an engineer. Being five years removed from undergrad, the most valuable parts of college were not electives in mechanics or control theory. They were the professors I interacted with, the football games I attended in the student section, the liberal arts and writing classes I was required to take, and the friends I made.

Really? I never would have learned the math on my own, and liberal arts could cost you $1.50 in library fees. I grew up reading for fun though, perhaps that facet of education is harder for some people?

Re: Is a college education worth the money?

#30

Post by maqr »

iskander wrote: post #26
csomar wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you joined College just to play football, write essays and make friends? Can't you just make that within your network? (neighbors, clubs, events...)

>Can't you just make that within your network? (neighbors, clubs, events...) Many of my friends who didn't go to college (or commuted to college) held on to whichever high school friends also stayed behind. They didn't meet many new people or do many new things. While it's theoretically possible to seek out the same level of novelty and excitement college gives you, it's also hard enough that most people won't do it.

I think you just proved his point. What a ridiculous price to pay for the benefit of networking, especially today with this internet thing.
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