Let’s cut right to the chase: is a college degree still worth it?
Current Events :
Once upon a time, a college degree was the golden ticket to employment stability and long-term financial success. However, with the college experience now costing upwards of $100,000 for a simple 4-year degree, former students are beginning to realize that their low-paying post-college jobs aren’t paying for their expensive degrees.
For example, the cost of a bachelor’s degree in education can cost $25,000 or more per year. However, the average starting salary for a teacher is only about $40,000 per year. That salary must stretch to pay for rent, food, transportation, medical, clothes, and paying back student loans — making it nearly impossible to survive.Â
Tyler P. received a degree in theater with the dream of becoming a stage actor in New York City. Tyler, who is Black, is an exceptional actor but doesn’t sing or dance. Regrettably, he was unaware that only 1% of Broadway shows are straight plays (without music). He was also unaware that out of that slim 1%, those plays rarely have roles available for actors of color (unless the actor is a television star capable of selling out a theater on their own).
So, is a degree still worth it? Not so fast!
Interestingly, companies such as IBM have scrapped the requirement of a college degree for employment. Multiple states throughout the US have followed suit for government jobs by leaning more toward actual skill versus classroom education.
Last year, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan opened up half of the state’s 38,000 jobs to workers who’ve obtained skills and experience through community college, military service, boot camps, and working on the job.
“It’s time to debunk the fiction that a prestigious degree is the only key to the American dream,” Hogan said in an October 2022 Wall Street Journal op-ed.
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order opening up 92% (roughly 65,000) of state jobs to those without college degrees.
“In Pennsylvania, the people should decide what path is best for them, not have it decided by some arbitrary requirement or any arbitrary limitation,” Shapiro said during a public signing ceremony.
To address its teacher shortage, Arizona passed a law in 2022 effectively allowing college students to train as public school teachers before receiving their degrees. Oregon also issued a temporary order in 2022 allowing those without bachelor’s degrees to work as substitute teachers.
With the cost of higher education soaring and the requirements for higher education in order to receive employment diminishing, it appears the concept of going into debt for a college degree may no longer be the yellow brick road it was once upon a time.
OK WASSUP! covers Current Events:
Is a college degree still worth it?
Hmmm. It pains me to say this (because I am definitely a product of “Old school” child-rearing). But given the harsh reality of what it costs to go to college these days versus the average annual salary of most people who graduate from college…(sigh)!
I’m just not quite sure the debt that students take on, in most cases, is worth it anymore(?)
And yet, I still strongly encourage young, Black children to pursue higher education in order to achieve their dreams!