Is college just one massive rip off? (how much, cost, high school)

[artsyguy]

Is college one massive rip off for half or more of the people that attend?

Honest discussion here, because I'm sick and tired of people putting professors and university officials on "pedestals".

[KevK]

The fact is that a college graduate earns much more during a lifetime than a high school only graduate.

Higher Education Results in Higher Lifetime Income

[sailordave]

depends on the major and the effort the student puts forth. Some majors are worthless when it comes to jobs. No matter what the major, the student won't truly be as ready for the job as they think they are. They'll learn far more on the job than they did in a classroom studying from someone who never left the classroom.

[artsyguy]

no, they don't.

Originally Posted by KevK

The fact is that a college graduate earns much more during a lifetime than a high school only graduate.

Higher Education Results in Higher Lifetime Income

[sailordave]

Oh, and can someone force engineering students to spend a few years doing construction jobs before they design any building,...ever! What works on paper doesn't always work in reality.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by artsyguy

Is college one massive rip off for half or more of the people that attend?
Honest discussion here, because I'm sick and tired of people putting professors and university officials on "pedestals".

You will make more money and have "a nicer" job if you get a college degree.
Besides, the more education you have, the less likely you will be laid off.

The rip off in college is that in the US college are extremely capitalist.
Colleges don't care about educating americans
colleges are ran like a normal business and they only care about "How much money are people willing to pay to get an education"
And tuitions are going up extremely fast and it's getting harder and harder for a smart person that comes from a humble family to get a college degree.

[seamusnh]

A college education does not guarantee anything, but it puts the odds in your favor of getting ahead. Of course, a lot depends on what you majored in and what college you went to....

Look at it another way:
- How many people do you know that regret having gone to college; not the major or the specific college, but having gone to college at all?
- How many people regret never going to college or dropping out?

[NewToCA]

Depends upon how you view the issue.

If you view it only from the income perspective, going to a state school should cost much less than the additional earnings you should obtain over your career, given you make the career selection based upon income potential (such as Accounting over Art History).

If you view it from a growth perspective, it can be a very worthwhile experience, depending upon what you put into it yourself.

However, some aspects of college are clearly a rip off, such as the requirement and cost of books.

[sacredgrooves]

I generally consider it a rip off unless you are getting a professional or technical degree. (engineer, doctor, law, etc...)

[missncr]

If it wasn't so outrageously expensive I think more people would enroll.