A College Education: Is it really for everyone?

Cherish Weiler

America has always been considered the land of opportunity, a place where any person can receive an education and succeed. Today, society practically expects young adults to go to college. As Thomas Reeves reports, “Going to college has become a national fad, a rite of passage” that directly correlates to success in the real world. Many assume a college education is necessary and should be available to everyone. However, the reality is that not everyone should go to college. While education is important and everyone should be given the opportunity to attend an institute of higher learning, not everyone should attend college.

Several policy experts at the Urban Institute claim that everyone should go to college because “college [has been] redefined to mean postsecondary education and training in academics, a trade, or a set of skills that would make someone employable.” However, as the push for a college education increases, more experts are starting to criticize this popular notion. Economist Lerman explains that for many students the key to getting a job is training and experience and not necessarily the academic skills learned in college. Similarly, economic lecturer Michael Rizzo questions “whether securing more higher education… is the best way to achieve certain goals” such as increase economic output and efficiency.

An estimated 50% of students never graduate with a college diploma. The truth of the matter is there are people in college who should not be there. There are students who are not prepared for the academic and financial responsibilities of college, who are not motivated to succeed, and who are not suited to the style of learning college offers. Additionally, many students lack the maturity level required to be successful in college. While the opportunity to attend an institute of higher learning should be available to everyone, college attendance is a personal decision and should be decided on a case by case basis instead of being viewed as a necessity.