A Bachelor's Degree...What is it Worth?

There are many responses, beliefs, and opinions when it comes to this question. Some vehemently argue that a college degree is an absolute in order to provide for a family. Others easily disagree that a degree is not needed, and go even farther by saying that it doesn't really mean much at all. There are also many in between the two extremes and this is where I find myself. One of the best Christmas presents I received was this on my student account. Check it out and see if you can tell what has just happened...




After looking at my online account at least 300 times and always seeing it say "incomplete." It now reads "complete" and though it feels great, overall it is quite anti climatic. After hours and hours of lectures, homework, papers, and group work this simple change--incomplete to complete--is what I am left with.

Yeah a paper declaring the same thing will come in the mail in a couple of weeks but I doubt it will do much to change my present attitude. For a long time I wondered what it would feel like to be a college graduate and as I cleaned the floors of a retail store I thought...is this really what it means to be a college grad. Though my current job is far from permanent ( tomorrow is my last day) it was still an eerie thought: How much is my degree really worth?

My retail store manager has a master's degree in graphic design, another one a degree in electrical engineering, and even another in biology. All these college educated people working the day after Christmas in a retail store is a bit bewildering to me. How bout you?

Yet I know that a college degree really does mean so much more than cleaning floors, a piece of paper, and the proud feelings I will have every time I mention, "Yeah, I have my degree." To me a college degree primarily means a lot of intangible skills and qualities that only a formal education can give. It also means more money. Though there are numerous exceptions, the numbers just do not lie. Take a look at this:




The bottom line is that on average a degree means a lot of things including more money in the bank, at least if you are intelligent enough to save some of it. Consequently, I am proud of this accomplishment and I know it is just the beginning of much more to come. Around the corner is law school, the professional degree which I will pursue, along with all the future professional opportunities that await me. There are numerous ways to make a living, and for me a formal education is a superb avenue to take.