Top Reasons Why You ABSOLUTELY Need a College Degree

[LevelUP]

This is my own opinion on why basically everyone absolutely needs a college degree. I would say around 95% of people should go to college.

To be clear, I'm not referring to the national debate about going to college. This is only for DegreeForum members/lurkers and the people in our social circles that follow our specific degree plans recommended here, which would help someone earn a degree in around 6-12 months.

Now some people think college is a scam. This is based on broad assumptions that lead to logical fallacies and not having the best information possible such as what is available on DegreeForum.

Top Reasons Why You Absolutely Need a college degree

1. Need less experience needed when applying for a job
2. Easier to get an interview
3. Easier to get a job
4. Leverage to negotiate a higher salary (college grads earn on avg. 27k more per year)
5. Easier to get raises
6. Easier to get a promotion
7. Make it easier to change careers (Not pigeonhole one career)
8. During a recession, you always have a job (Grads have 5.5% unemployment vs 9% for H.S. diploma according to BLS)
9. You will like your job more (College grads are more satisfied with their jobs)
10. Financially,  you will be better off (According to Lumina)

Social Benefits of having a college degree

1. Increase confidence
2. Earn respect
3. Social status increase (78% of women likely to stay married for at least 20 years)

People with college degrees are less likely to

1. Do drugs
2. Commit crimes
3. Live an unhealthy lifestyle that takes years off your life

Personal Development Benefits

1. More productive
2. Better communicator
3. Improve critical thinking skills
4. Identify skills you're good at
5. Greater sense of discipline

Why The Knowledge Matters

1. Learn how to study
2. Learn how to write
3. Learn how to communicate
4. Explore career options and ideas
5. Learn things socially beneficial
6. Learn the fundamentals of your career

What holds people back?

What subjects are students most scared of

1. Math (Minimal math skills are required, you will make it)
2. Writing (Learn APA, follow the rubric. You don't have to be a great writer)
3. Science courses (Learn what you are good at and learn how to push through adversity)

Other things holding students back

1. Time commitment (Only 5-20hrs a week are required)
2. Confidence they will get through college (You gain confidence one step at a time)
3. Paradox of choice (Too many degrees to choose from)

So technically, you can get through life without a college degree. But do you really want to live life being a second-class citizen in a country that provides an incredible amount of opportunity?

It's a lot easier going through life walking downhill versus uphill.