Our society today says college is a must for everyone but is it really our goal or should it be an option?
When we first started homeschooling in 2005, I had the mindset that, aside from raising my children with a strong biblical foundation, my main goal for homeschooling was to prepare my children for college. In my mind, college would be that holy grail that would validate all my efforts at homeschooling.
But I don't think that anymore. Not even close.
Over the last few years I've come to realize that for us, college should be an option, not necessarily the goal. College is simply a means to an end.
If my children want to pursue a career field that requires a college degree, then I'll absolutely make sure they can go to college well-prepared.
But if they are interested in pursuing a different path for which a degree isn't necessary — perhaps being an entrepreneur programmer or photographer — then I am completely content with them preparing for their career without college.
With all the learning opportunities now available outside of the typical college classroom, they have access to almost unlimited resources they can use to learn and prepare. And the knowledge they can gain through experience in the real world can be so much more valuable than that learned in a classroom.
Now I know many have strong opinions about the subject of college, and I used to hold some of those opinions too. But I take issue with some of the pro-college reasoning. In my opinion, the argument is not as black-and-white as some would like to believe.
Does a College Education Provide Greater Knowledge?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, a college education "will increase your child's ability to understand developments in science and in society, to think abstractly and critically, to express thoughts clearly in speech and in writing, and to make wise decisions."
This can obviously be true in some cases, and I'm not disagreeing that a college education can do all those things. However, I take issue with the idea that a college is the only place those skills can be learned. I would contend that real-world, hands-on experience can also be a sufficient (and perhaps superior) learning environment for those same skills.
(And as for students learning to think critically in college? That's possible as well, but it doesn't always seem to happen in many of our mass-education, cookie-cutter, 'liberal' arts colleges and universities.)
Do College Graduates Really Make More Money?
On their website, the University of Texas claims the following (citing statistics from the always-accurate U.S. Census Bureau):
"Experts who have researched the performance and job success of college graduates have concluded that, nationwide, college graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn 74 percent more per year than those who only complete high school."
On the surface, this seems to be pretty strong evidence about the value of a college eduation. After all, "experts" have concluded that people make more money when they have a college degree.
But overlooking the fact that colleges use statistics like this for the sole purpose of increasing their enrollment, does this quote mean that a person with a college degree will make 74 percent more than a person with a high school diploma? Obviously the answer is no. We're talking averages here.
And it's important to realize that this number would include college graduates who make six-figure salaries as well as those college graduates who work at McDonalds.
Are the college graduates cited in these statistics working in the same field for which they earned their degree? As I'm sure you do too, I know a great number of people who are working in fields outside their degree. So I can pretty much guarantee that no, not all college graduates cited in this quote are working in the field of their degree. And I'm fairly certain as well (judging by the people I know personally), that some of these careers they're now working in don't even require a college degree.
Was it the college degree or the work ethic of the college graduate that determined what kind of salary they earned? I don't have any statistics to back this up, but I tend to think the work ethic probably had much more to do with it than people think. Yes, the degree had an influence, but a degree without a work ethic isn't going to take anyone very far.
So while statistically, college graduates do make more money on average, the idea that a college degree is the only way to a successful career is completely false in my opinion. A college degree does not, in any way, guarantee that you'll make a higher salary, because there are many more variables that come into play. So 74% sounds like an impressive number, but when you understand the nature of averages, you see that it's not really saying much.
Show me a college graduate that makes $66,000 a year working for a corporation, and I'll show you an entrepreneur without a college degree that makes that same amount working for himself.
Does a College Education Offer Greater Potential and More Job Opportunity?
It's definitely a fact that some career fields require a college education. For those careers, yes, college is an absolute necessity. And in some career fields, employers favor college graduates over high school graduates, even if the degree is not in the same field as the job.
But there are many, many career fields in which a college degree isn't necessary. These jobs often require specialized knowledge that can be gained through independent study, by completing specialized courses, through enrollment in a trade school, or by on-the-job training.
And if a child wants to be an entrepreneur, college isn't always the best route to success.
The bottom line is that some careers require a college degree. Others don't. And while a college degree can definitely be an advantage in the workplace, the idea that all the good-paying jobs require a degree is not true.
So What Does That Mean For Our Family?
What that means is that before they're even in high school, we encourage our children to explore their interests. To discover what they really enjoy. To investigate how they might transform that passion into a future career, regardless of whether it would require a college education or not.
I firmly believe it's not too early for them to think about career choices, even at the ages of 9, 12, and 14. Sure they might change their minds a million times in the process, but they'll at least be thinking about it and learning more about their interests at the same time.
And hopefully they won't be caught off guard at age 18, having graduated from high school, but not having given the slightest thought to what they might want to do.
So until then, we're still homeschooling with college in mind for the future as an option, but not necessarily as the goal.
UPDATE [AUGUST 2016]: All three of my children will be attending college (two are currently enrolled), but with different goals, from certificates to associates to a bachelor's/master's degree.
- My oldest is currently in his second year at the community college pursuing three certificates in audio engineering.
- My middle child is in her first year at the community college working on her general education core. After she completes that at the community college she'll be transferring to a local university where she'll pursue her bachelor's degree and then a master's degree in Occupational Therapy.
- My youngest (she's just starting high school this year) has plans to be an RN so she'll likely enroll in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at our community college.
What about you? What are your thoughts about college?
These are my thoughts exactly! I love your site! It's been so very helpful and I pass it around on the regular to my homeschooling friends! Thanks for writing!
We talk about college a Lot! But, it's mainly because we are big sports fans. We want my step-kids (10 and 12) to think about college because neither of their parents went since they had kids so young. I realize that college is not for everyone but I also realize there are so many jobs that require a college degree. It definitely gives you more choices. Now I will have to agree with you about people who pursue a trade. College is not the place to develop their trade. Great post!
The thing about a college degree giving you more 'choice' though, is that you have to choose the right degree. Getting a degree in chemistry doesn't necessarily give you more choices of careers in other fields. It opens the choices in that one field, but not all fields. Yet another reason to make sure the kids start thinking about their careers BEFORE they're college age. Waiting until you're actually paying for college classes to think about your choice of career has backfired on way too many people.
I have mixed feelings about this too. My husbands and I both have college degrees and we are both not working in our fields of study. There are a lot of people today who are graduating college and who are not able to find jobs. Plus, then you have thousands of dollars in debts to pay back in student loans while you can't find a job. I think it's important for kids to get out into the workforce and find out what they want out of life. Plus, Americorps is also a great option. They can work and earn money for college.
I agree with so many of the points you listed. Growing up, college was what we were working for and studying for, yet in retrospect, I focused more on the end result rather than the journey getting there. I never learned to comprehend material, rather just memorize it. I was so concerned with "getting into a good college" that I never enjoyed or even cared to fully understand WHAT I was learning. When I finally DID get into college with a 4.0, I failed miserably. I realized that all those hours I spent memorizing, I had learned nothing. I am in my 30's now with four kids and a Navy husband and I have literally had to relearn certain things over to truly appreciate them. ( I am rereading The Coming of the Third Reich and cannot believe what I missed the first time around.) I do not want my kids growing up under the same umbrella I did. I want to encourage my children to be self sufficient, and college may not be the road that takes them on that journey.
Wonderful post and very insightful!
I am a college graduate that until recently had almost $40,000 in student loan debt. I currently hold a job that does not require a degree because I could not find a job in my field. My husband on the other hand received one year of heating and air conditioner training, one year of working on the job, and now holds a very good job and has no debt to show for it. The more I learn the more I am a fan of seeing college as an option not the only way.
i LOVE this post!! my girlfriends and i {all homeschool moms} talk about this all.the.time. Especially since all of our husbands are very successful, self employed men *without* college degrees. They make enough money for us to live very comfortably and stay at home and educate our children. In fact, all of us moms have degrees and none of us work {for pay!}! 🙂
so i guess we sort of prove your point, right? 😉
@cheri, I've completed 5 years of college, pursuing two different degrees, but finishing neither. And yet my career right now as a web/graphic designer (working from home…er…my couch) has absolutely nothing to do with my college education. I will say that my 2-yr stint in nursing school did prepare me for teaching my kids biology, microbiology, and anatomy though!
Great post. It does seem that our homeschooling would be validated by our children going successfully to college, like that is a big feather in our cap. But God often has other ideas! What we have been pursuing with our high school age boys is College Plus. For people who will need a degree to get into their chosen field, it is a great way to get a degree without going to a secular college, acquiring a lot of debt, and wasting a lot of time. My senior in high school has 21 college credits and my sophomore has 6. They will both continue to CLEP as they continue their high school studies and should graduate with a college degree shortly after they graduate high school. This leaves them without debt, with a degree and time to pursue an internship, graduate school, or a trade as they are lead. It is perfect for homeschooled children, who learn so differently than I did!
We've looked into CollegePlus and might do something like that eventually if it fits with Jaden's career of choice. Good to hear others have had good experiences with it!
I'm like you — I used to think college was mandatory. Now I'm not so sure. I will say, however, that the majority of people I know that are laid off and have been for a long time are those without college degrees. Like it or not, a college degree has become a necessity for acquiring a job — even if it's not a job that has anything to do with your degree. I think from that aspect, I will encourage my kids to get some kind of degree (although I will insist on doing so debt free even if that means a 10 year career college career!).
Regarding not having a degree being a big factor in unemployment right now, someone on facebook said this "it's interesting (maybe that's not the word) when I hear from friends looking for work in today's economy and have a hard time finding a job b/c they are (A) overqualified [i.e. have a college degree] or (B) are underqualified from even applying for a job [b/c they don't have a college degree.]." It would be interesting to see a study on that.
@Camille, Oh, and as for college degrees becoming more of a necessity for acquiring a job in the future, I agree, that may very well be the case. But that's also another reason why we're such huge advocates of entrepreneurism! 🙂
I will encourage college for my children but there are also many ways to get an education, from tech school programs, to apprenticeship programs, to on-the-job training. I myself am a college graduate (it was expected of me since I was knee high to a grasshopper and my parents didn't pay for it) but it took me 9 years to do so, hitting it straight out of high school. I went to community college first, working part time to pay for said college and then when I went full time work, my college went to part time thus making it a longer process. In hindsight I wish I would have worked harder though because I didn't put my all in and my GPA didn't reflect As…I was so burned out. I tried hard with the sciences and math but didn't make it, falling back to my strengths, getting a business degree. I also went to an Extension where EVERY quarter in EVERY class was get in a group, pick a subject, write a paper, give a presentation. NOT challenging at all. That's not to say I would have put in MORE effort if it were challenging just because I was so burned out on the process. Today I would do it differently and will probably encourage my kids to get their degree online (the world is a nasty place!), enroll in a running start program, or go to tech school (if that's what interests them). I use my degree now, in the home environment and bringing in a little income. I still have goals, dreams, aspirations, but my hubby has to help get me there since my life is now dedicated to helping him and raising our three children.
What is a running start program?
@Joy, Running start (at least where I'm from) is where High School students can enroll in and attend Community College Courses at the college before or after regular high school hours and use those credits toward their degree requirements, or program enrollment requirements. My best friend finished her bachelors degree in three years thanks to running start.
Ah, we call that 'dual enrollment' here. I didn't know there was other terminology for it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJuThf6y1gs
It's a big difference of opinion between Dh parents and I …. Dh dad taught math at a Christian college. They expect their grandkids to go to college … my oldest doesn't want to go … she's 16, smart, and wants to write.
My husband has a degree that he has never been able to use in Biology. I had a few years of college but never finished my degree. I know that college is not the end-all, be-all of job security and satisfaction in our cases.
Our homeschoolers are 7 and 5 right now so we'll likely change our minds about this a few more times but right now I see college prep as mandatory for me, career prep as mandatory for them. What I mean is that on my part I want them on track to have glowing transcripts when they leave my homeschool so that the door to college is as open as any other door they might choose.
On the other hand I agree with what the article says about their responsiblity to research the fields that they feel called to serve in, to research what kind of training that field requires and to do internships to know it's right for them and then get the training they need with or without college.
I totally agree with your post. My husband have been speaking out about our feelings regarding college vs. trade school for years and have taken so much flack from friends and family. Truth is we are raising our children to become entrepreneurs, we don't want them to be dependent on someone else for their paychecks. Well said!
I never had the intentions of going to college. And I didn't. But I did finish high school (in public school) and am in a very happy place right now. I got married at 18 and now three years later, I'm the proud mommy of a two year old. God has a plan for everyone and for me it wasn't going to college. Those are my thoughts.
I agree with you! I think it should be an option. I know my husband and I have changed our minds about this. Yes, I know some companies want a person with a degree, but they also look at experience. Also, some kids need the hands on training of a vocational school. The world needs all types of people to make it go round!
I didn't finish college. My husband has an associate's degree. At his current job, he has received advice from his boss that a BA degree would help him further at this company. But I don't think that applies to all companies. And for what my husband likes to do (computers) he doesn't need further college. The BA degree would help if he wanted to move up further in the company and into different fields.
His current job we see as a stepping stone; full of good learning experience and will look good on a resume. (In addition to learning new computer skills on the job; he is getting managerial experience)
And the job he got laid off from 2+ years ago did so because he had the most experience there, was their top employee, and so was receiving more pay than the other employees. Sounds like "over-qualification" to me and that's without a degree.
In short, I fully agree with you. 🙂
I agree completely, the thing that discourages me is the people who don't prepare their kids for anything, not college, not a job, just waiting to get married. Not everyone gets married and certainly not right away. I want my children to have the best education they can have no matter what they are pursuing, they really cannot be TOO smart with a high school diploma and if they wind up homeschooling their own children, it will be nice for them to have the tools to teach them as well……..BTW, I only have a high school diploma, DH has an undergrad. and 2 advanced degrees and oldest son is currently in college pursuing a Bible/Pastoral Ministries/Missions degree.
I also think that we should not limit their options by not giving them a college prep (rigorous) type education because they might change their minds……..
Just my $.02, three kids (18, 16 and 14) all homeschooled all the way……….
We are beginning our 20th year of homeschooling this fall, and our thoughts on college have changed as well. Before the movement was widely known, we thought that being admitted into a college was our "stamp of approval" for having done an outstanding job educating our children. We have always aimed for our children being college-ready when they completed high school, and that hasn't changed. I find it puzzling that parents are so eager to have their children go to college. We own a business that employs many high school and college students. Often after they have graduated from college, they often find that there are no jobs available in their field, but the student loans are coming due. We have employed them for months and sometimes years after completing college. I think it's time we start re-evaluating our changing world we live in and educate and equip for these times. Homeschoolers should be great at doing this- we've already stepped out of the box in education and have succeeded.
As a Christian I have to put terms of success on God's standards, not the American dream of a a college degree, married with kids, house in the burbs, 2 cars etc. My prayer for my sons is for them to know their gifts and use them to help other. I pray through the homeschool process they gain the ability to learn, adapt and grow in what ever area God has gifted them in. Their actual vocation and earning potential is irrelevant.
I also used to think college was mandatory – of course I also thought a public school education was mandatory. 🙂 Thus far, my eldest, who has Asperger's, is heading towards a vocation. My 2nd heads off to university in two weeks. My 3rd is in a concurrent enrollment program and will have an AA in massage therapy. She will have no student debt, thanks to the concurrent enrollment program. So, though she'll have a degree of some sort, it is a vocational degree. I have no idea what kids #4 and #5 will do, but do not plan to push in any one direction.
These have been my same sentiments on college over the last several years. Both my husband and I are working and loving what we are doing, and those areas are not what we went to college for. In fact, the fields we are in did not "require" a college degree, but work experience and ethic (he is in management and I am homeschooling/teaching our kids while we both take on entrepreneurial type projects).
I would say we learned a great deal in college about life experiences, work ethic, etc., but that was more due to our life circumstances rather than the fact that we were in college at the time. I believe college is a wonderful option for those fields where it is necessary, but clear goals should be worked toward. I feel I wasted a lot of time and money "figuring out" what I wanted to do, and if you are unsure it is better to be working and taking the steps toward narrowing down choices rather than just taking classes and racking up student loans. My perspective on college is so much different now having been through it and living through the recession than it was back in 2000 when I started college.
Thank you for putting these sentiments to words.
Ditto to the option idea instead of sole goal. DH thinks that college with its rising costs is definitely the next "bubble" to burst. We are encouraging our 8th graders to consider programs like College Plus, apprenticeships, and trade schools as well as giving them a college prep education. I want them to be ready for the option they choose. Great post. Thanks.
I really appreciated this post. I'm a college graduate but I don't think college is right for everyone. My husband is an artist (he actually works for Disney – a lifelong dream of his) and also does lots of illustration freelance work. He is extremely talented and he is doing very well in terms of his salary. He didn't attend college — he didn't really see it as being necessary for him. The thing that bothers me is that he sometimes feels embarrassed or judged by others because he didn't go. Society has it so hammered into our minds that college is a must, not a choice. I got a bachelors degree, but I'm not in the workforce right now ( I'm a SAHM to two boys). I'm still glad I got my degree and I loved college, but I certainly will not have a problem if my boys decide it's not the right path for them.
This article is almost as if it was written write from my brain! I have a tough time trying to articulate that college is not always a necessity, especially in this economy. If EVERYONE has a college degree, then how will they stand out from the rest? Also, both my husband and I have exorbitant amounts of college debt and neither of us use our degree… case and point that if we would have saved the money that we would have used to start our current entrepreneurial businesses, we would be much better off… thanks for the insightful post! Found you from the link on Simple Homeschool 🙂
Even though this post was written 5 years ago, it applies today even more than when it was written! I had to comment – I know that if I could find it, others could, too. My husband works in Video Games and Software – a field in which everyone swears a degree is required. You won't see a single job posting in the industry that doesn't state that a Bachelor's is mandatory and yet, he didn't graduate High School. He dropped out, got his GED, and became a bartender to "slack off for a while" in his early twenties. Then, one day, he decided to teach himself 3D Modelling, then Concept Art Styles, Game Design, etc. By the time he was 27, he had built half a video game on his own. He showed this game to a company as his resume and got a job in the industry – where you have to have a degree of you want a job.
He is now well known across the entire industry as a specialist in his field. There's always a way. It's all about passion and work ethic.