Isha Sehgal’s Post

Love this from The Chronicle of Higher Education this morning. The benefits of a college degree are much more than the skills learned for future employment. "Going to college is an investment decision. It comes with benefits and costs. They do not need to be monetary, but it can be easier to think about it that way. Just like any investment decision, there are risks involved. College is worth it if the benefits are typically greater than the costs and the investment is not associated with extensive risk. If so, it may not be right for everyone, but in general it should be considered “worth it.” The benefits of college tend to be large. Evidence clearly documents that the wages of college-educated workers are considerably higher than that of workers with only a high-school diploma."

A quality #college education is transformative for individuals and entire communities. Attaining a #degree makes graduates highly #employable and ready to meet the growing demand for workers. The #experience of college adds tremendous value to a person’s life. More evidence is laid out in the recent column “Yes, college is worth it”: https://bit.ly/451uIyT

In today's uncertain landscape, there are many misconceptions surrounding the value of Higher Education, making it especially difficult for college students grappling with rising costs and the pressure to support themselves and their families to pursue a college degree. Our latest insights reveal the invaluable benefits a #CSU degree offers, including higher pay, enhanced employability, and brighter futures. #HigherEducation #SuccessStories Read more here: https://lnkd.in/evnjmMmr

US "College graduate numbers decline for second year in a row" Interesting article at https://lnkd.in/eZw2kWEH but it would be useful to have some explanatory background. E.g. does it mean that the US apprenticeship/microcredentials movement is at last soaking up (otherwise HE-oriented) demand? The relentless decline of US HE graduate numbers and (faint, but there for those paying attention) drumbeat of HE closures (even if of "marginal" institutions) in the US does rather put into context some of the HE agonising we hear in the UK. Especially with the number of UK 18-year-olds rising substantially in the next few years. However in the US the Great Recession led to massive cuts in some HE institution budgets (often imposed by states), just as it did in some EU countries. Has this meant that some non-UK institutions are rather more used to making rapid cuts than UK institutions are? Or is there more "fat" to cut - such as the fancy US sports facilities we hear so much about? Without wanting to give any incoming government any ideas but just looking at the gloomy economic trends it might be prudent for large UK institutions to look more at how such ebbs and flows of government support to institutions in other countries were managed by the institutions.

As college cost soars, many are weighing if the financial benefits to higher education are worth it. On one hand, current low unemployment rates and wage gains may make the opportunity cost of four years in college less attractive when compared to gaining work experience. However, there is evidence that, on average, college graduates earn more and are more likely to be employed. Here, we provide a long-term perspective to help in crucial financial decisions related to college planning. https://hubs.ly/Q02vtHjy0

As college cost soars, many are weighing if the financial benefits to higher education are worth it. On one hand, current low unemployment rates and wage gains may make the opportunity cost of four years in college less attractive when compared to gaining work experience. However, there is evidence that, on average, college graduates earn more and are more likely to be employed. Here, we provide a long-term perspective to help in crucial financial decisions related to college planning. https://hubs.ly/Q02vtLYb0

The "...or job training" is key. I know firsthand that relatively short-term job training programs can be quite lucrative. Some people don't need 6+ years and a mountain of debt. More like 18 months and they come out on the other side with nearly a 100% placement rate at a very comfortable salary. Traditional college isn't for everyone. A reminder that <50% of four-year college grads are employed in their primary field. Some 16% are unemployed. 33% are working in positions that do not require a degree. And with increasing options for Dual or Concurrent Credit programs, many of those skills can be acquired while still in high school.

As college cost soars, many are weighing if the financial benefits to higher education are worth it. On one hand, current low unemployment rates and wage gains may make the opportunity cost of four years in college less attractive when compared to gaining work experience. However, there is evidence that, on average, college graduates earn more and are more likely to be employed. Here, we provide a long-term perspective to help in crucial financial decisions related to college planning. https://hubs.ly/Q02vtKdX0

As college cost soars, many are weighing if the financial benefits to higher education are worth it. On one hand, current low unemployment rates and wage gains may make the opportunity cost of four years in college less attractive when compared to gaining work experience. However, there is evidence that, on average, college graduates earn more and are more likely to be employed. Here, we provide a long-term perspective to help in crucial financial decisions related to college planning. https://hubs.ly/Q02vtLTy0

Yes, a college education is about outcomes, measured by concrete metrics such as jobs, salaries, advanced education, and longer term career trajectories and earning capacity. It’s also about things that are harder to measure, such as the broad, liberal education of individuals, the societal benefits of an educated citizenship and much more; research confirms many other individual and societal benefits associated with higher education. College may not be for every person, but the long term advantages of higher education are clear. Issues of affordability, cost and debt, and other dynamics and challenges sometimes obscure the broader benefits that accrue, to individuals and society.