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If you can access $60k jobs after leaving high school, then pursuing a full-time degree will cost you at least 3x$60k + tuition. This advice is specific to you

by ronaldx 13y ago

If you can access $60k jobs after leaving high school, then pursuing a full-time degree will cost you at least 3x$60k + tuition. This advice is specific to your situation and not my general advice: If your assessment is accurate, and if you have options in the job market (you are not tied to a single generous employer, say), I would recommend you don't take a degree. A degree is going to put you perhaps $300k (1 house) and several years in the hole. It's not obvious that you'll then have better access to the job market than you have now. It's even possible you would have worse access. For most employers, practical experience of work they need trumps college classes. There is absolutely nothing stopping you from taking a degree later or taking one part-time if you decide that it's relevant to you. As a final point, you should consider applying for both college and jobs, giving you a clearer choice of your available options.

danieldk 13y ago
If you can access $60k jobs after leaving high school, then pursuing a full-time degree will cost you at least 3x$60k + tuition. Let's not be to US-centric. If you look beyond the borders of your country, it's perfectly possible to study at a relatively high-ranked university for a small tuition fee. E.g., the university where I studied in The Netherlands has a rank hovering between 78 and 98 in various ratings (e.g. Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Yearly tuition is Euro 1835 for students from the EU and Euro 7500 for international students.
- Jach 13y ago
  There's nothing US-centric about what you quoted; the 3x$60k figure (and it could end up being 5x) comes from the opportunity cost of going to school instead of working. That can be lessened with part time work and full-time during summers, but it's still there.
  - danieldk 13y ago
    Sorry, I misread. But I still think the point stands. Tuition fee is not an issue in many other countries. Besides that, in most areas, a post-university income will likely be higher than working for four years after high school. Then there's also the social factor. University allows you to network with peers, some of which will be very successful and may give you good leads. It's also a good place to meet a life partner and have a good time.

by ronaldx 13y ago

danieldk 13y ago

If you can access $60k jobs after leaving high school, then pursuing a full-time degree will cost you at least 3x$60k + tuition. Let's not be to US-centric. If you look beyond the borders of your country, it's perfectly possible to study at a relatively high-ranked university for a small tuition fee. E.g., the university where I studied in The Netherlands has a rank hovering between 78 and 98 in various ratings (e.g. Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Yearly tuition is Euro 1835 for students from the EU and Euro 7500 for international students.

Jach 13y ago
There's nothing US-centric about what you quoted; the 3x$60k figure (and it could end up being 5x) comes from the opportunity cost of going to school instead of working. That can be lessened with part time work and full-time during summers, but it's still there.
- danieldk 13y ago
  Sorry, I misread. But I still think the point stands. Tuition fee is not an issue in many other countries. Besides that, in most areas, a post-university income will likely be higher than working for four years after high school. Then there's also the social factor. University allows you to network with peers, some of which will be very successful and may give you good leads. It's also a good place to meet a life partner and have a good time.