1. PERSONAL FINANCE

Is a College Education Worth It?

Is a College Education Worth It?
BY Anna Baluch
Jan 2, 2020
 - Updated 
Dec 5, 2024
Key Takeaways:
  • College is expensive, so consider the return on investment carefully.
  • Research the desired degree and expected salary before committing to costly tuition.
  • Sometimes a trade school provides more bang for your buck.

If you’re a parent of teen, you’re probablypainfully aware of how expensive the cost of college has become. Despite thefact that the average college graduate earns over $30,000 more a year than anaverage worker with only a high school diploma, more and more parents areasking themselves if a college education (and all the debt that can come withit), is even worth it.

Every person and situation is unique, so thereis no one hard “yes” or “no” answer to that question. You have to figure outthe right answer together.

Here are some things to talk about with your teen to understand if college is worth it for them:

Your Child’s Career Path

If your child knows what type of career they want to pursue, do some research and find out whether a degree is required or simply a nice-to-have. If they want to be a nurse, for example, a degree is a must. However, if their goal is to work in web design or development, a degree may not be a necessity.

The Importance of the Institution

Some colleges are more prestigious than others and come with a hefty price tag as a result. If you determine that your child’s career path requires a degree, you may want to talk to some professionals in the industry. Ask them if the quality of the institution matters or if an appropriate degree from any college will suffice.

Certifications or Trade Schools

Sometimes, a trade school or certification is a wiser choice than college. For instance, if your child wants to become a welder, they probably don’t have to go to college. In fact, they may be better off enrolling in a trade school and gaining valuable hands-on experience that allows them to enter the workforce faster.

Whether Your Child Has a Career in Mind

While some children know exactly what they want to be when they grow up, many have no idea. If your child has made it clear they don’t have a career path in mind, investing in a general purpose degree may not be worth it. It may be more beneficial for them to gain a few years of work experience. Work experience can give them some clarity and allow them to save money for college.

Your Child’s Motivation and Responsibility

One third of students drop out of college before they begin their sophomore year. This is mainly because some are simply not ready for college immediately after they graduate from high school. College success depends on motivation and responsibility, so if you don’t believe your child has high levels of these traits, you may want to put the brakes on college for a bit.

Your Ability to Pay for More Than Just Tuition

Unfortunately, college comes with other costs than tuition. To attendcollege, your child will likely have living expenses and miscellaneous expensesfor things like books and supplies. Vanderbilt University, for example, charges$50,800 for tuition per year. But in addition, students have to pay thefollowing:

  • Residence Hall: $11,044

  • Meals: $5,866

  • Books and Supplies: $1,294

  • Student Activities and Recreation Fees: $1,270

  • Personal Expenses: $2,874

All of these other expenses add up to $22,348, making the grand total to attend Vanderbilt as a full-time undergraduate student $73,148—per year.

Remember that the goal is to get just-right education: Not too much, not too little. Figure out what is really important, don’t base decisions on what everyone else is doing (or not doing). Your goal should be to create a plan that will enable them to get the level of education they need at a price you can both afford without being saddled with life-long debt.

Debt relief by the numbers

We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during October 2024. This data reveals the diversity of individuals seeking help and provides insights into some of their key characteristics.

Age distribution of debt relief seekers

Debt affects people of all ages, but some age groups are more likely to seek help than others. In October 2024, the average age of people seeking debt relief was 49. The data showed that 15% were over 65, and 17% were between 26-35. Financial hardships can affect anyone, no matter their age, and you can never be too young or too old to seek help.

Collection accounts balances – average debt by selected states.

Collection debt is one example of consumers struggling to pay their bills. According to 2023, data from the Urban Institute, 26% of people had a debt in collection.

In October 2024, 30% of debt relief seekers had a collection balance. The average amount of open collection account debt was $3,203.

Here is a quick look at the top five states by average collection debt balance.

State% with collection balanceAvg. collection balance
District of Columbia23$4,899
Montana24$4,481
Kansas32$4,468
Nevada32$4,328
Idaho27$4,305

The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a collection account balance over $0.

If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Seeking help is a good first step to managing your debt.

Support for a Brighter Future

No matter your age, FICO score, or debt level, seeking debt relief can provide the support you need. Take control of your financial future by taking the first step today.

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