A college education may be more important today than it ever has been. At one time, post-secondary education was only for the very well-to-do, but times have changed greatly. Today, almost anyone with decent grades and entrance exam scores can go to college if he or she wants to.
While it's true that not everyone is cut out for college, those who can make it would do well to go. There always have been people who have become fantastically rich or successful with a high school diploma (or even less), but let's face it; those cases are few and far between. Most people don't have the capability to create that kind of success without additional education.
The truth of the matter is that life in America and around the world is getting progressively more expensive. It's harder than ever to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, and it takes more money than before to live a "middle class" life. In the 20th century, people lived comfortable middle class lives working jobs that required little or no post-secondary education. That's really not possible today.
Getting a four-year degree may be one of the best investments a person can make in his or her future. A Bachelor's degree can increase a person's lifetime earnings by a million dollars or more, depending on the degree. A person with a four-year degree can expect to earn $2.1 million over a lifetime, while a high school graduate can only expect to earn $1.1 million. With an average tuition of $30,000 for a four-year degree at a state university, a dividend of over a million dollars is well worth the initial cost, even with a student loan that must be repaid.
A Bachelor's degree generally takes four years to earn. For the first two years of most programs, students will be expected to participate in general education classes, for the most part. By the end of their sophomore year, students will be expected (and required) to choose a major course of study.
The last two years of study will focus on a student's major. Most programs consist of about 120 credit hours of study, which equals about 40 three-hour classes. Within any given major, students may also choose an area of concentration or specialized study.
While most of these programs culminate in a degree, others may culminate in a degree and a licensing exam. A good example of this would be a four-year degree in nursing. Most programs that have licensing exams offer specialized classes to help prepare for the exam; however, even if a student graduates with a degree, there is no guarantee that he or she will be able to pass the state or national licensing exam.
Today, it is very feasible to take online classes and never have to step foot onto an actual campus. Some Bachelor degree programs are meant to be stepping-stones into even higher educational opportunities. For example, pre-med and pre-law prepare students for medical and law school. However, most degrees prepare students to enter the workforce in entry-level, professional jobs as soon as they graduate, paving the way for a successful and hopefully lucrative career |
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