Why does a degree matter

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Our Scholarships. About UoPeople. In Brief. Fact Sheet. President's Council. Board of Trustees. Our Academic Team. Academic Partners. UN Partners. Corporate Partners. Foundation Partners. Worldwide Recognition. UoPeople in the Media. Contact Us. Does College Still Matter in ? Does a college degree still matter in ? So, we ran the numbers to help you decide if you should go to college.

Is a College Degree Still Worth it in ? Then work backwards and figure out whether a college degree is the best choice for you. To learn more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy OK. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.

When you look at this statistic through the lens of student loans and the recession, it comes as no surprise that students want to pursue careers that will enable them to pay off their hefty debt. If your degree alone guaranteed a job, this kind of strategic long-term planning would make sense. And yes, there are certain jobs that require the skills affiliated with specified degrees, such as engineering, architecture, and computer science.

But by and large, your college major is unlikely to have any bearing on your career success. Plus, look at me: I'm a political science graduate and counterterrorism professional turned career coach.

Here are a few points to consider about why our attachment to the idea that majors matter should be put to rest. Your degree is a prerequisite for the competitive workforce; the topic is irrelevant. It used to be important and special for someone to have a degree, and now it just stands as a prerequisite in the workforce. Certain fields yield higher incomes, but your major does not need to align with the industry.

For example, history majors who pursued careers in business ended up earning as much as business majors, according to one study. Your experience, be it on the job or off the job, is what people notice. Take advantage of the opportunities you have as an undergraduate to pursue interesting internships, get involved in student organizations, and volunteer for causes you are passionate about. These lines on your resume are so much more powerful than your major because they tell employers that you are motivated, passionate, and involved.

The pursuit of higher education also equips you to master complex challenges and overcome adversity, contributing to increased happiness and reduced stress. College graduates are also more likely to be involved in their communities. Compared to non-degree holders, they are more likely to vote, volunteer, donate to charities, join community organizations, and participate in educational activities with their children. The differences between degree and non-degree holders are stark:.

In , 52 percent of full-time workers with a degree were offered retirement benefits, compared to only 43 percent of individuals without a degree. The cost of a degree may be daunting, especially with many students on the news sharing student loan woes and not feeling like the job market is friendly to their specific degree.

Young adults express that their degrees are a good value, with 72 percent believing that their degree has paid off, and an additional 17 percent believing that it will very soon.

This trend stays steady among those who borrowed for school, as well. Plus, there are many programs available to help pay for higher education; scholarships , grants and tuition reimbursement programs are all designed to help students avoid debt.

Preparation for a Specialized Career As the world changes, the job market changes with it. Increased Earning Potential The Bureau of Labor Statistics has shared the average salary for those with various education levels, and the data is clear: The greater your level of education, the higher you can expect your salary to be.

Economic Stability Of the A Pathway to Advancement Have you considered a career as a physical therapist, head librarian, or nurse anesthetist? The differences between degree and non-degree holders are stark: Eighty-six percent of college graduates consider their job a career or a stepping stone to their career, while only 57 percent of high school graduates say the same.

Only 38 percent of degree holders report the same level of satisfaction.