Is College Worth the Expense?

When a former United States Secretary of Education questions the value of a College education, people take notice and start talking. This is exactly the question posed by William Bennett and David Wilezol in their new book, “Is College Worth It? A Former United States Secretary of Education and Liberal Arts Graduate Expose The Broken Promise of Higher Education. “

Bennett and Wilezol both agree that College is definitely worth it, but it’s not for everyone. The authors’ cite the cost of a quality education as well as the 50% unemployment rate for 2011 graduates. Similarly, Peter Thiel, one of the original investors of Facebook, believes that too many colleges are churning out more College graduates than our economy can handle.

The statistics are upsetting. A recent study showed that 45 percent of College graduates could not think or reason critically on complex issues. In addition, the study found that they did not learn any worthwhile writing skills in their first two years of their College education.

There is no doubt that the cost of  College education is a cause for concern. Students are burdened with heavy student loans and the default rate on these educational loans is greater than ever. And the cost of education rises every year. Cost of a college education is increased 1100% since 1978. Today, one out of ten students will graduate with a student loan of $40,000 or more.

So, how can parents and prospective College students make the best decision as to whether College is right for them and how can they best minimize College costs and maximize their employability at the end of their College career?

Students should make a firm commitment to attend class and complete their degree on time

The statistics of Student loan default rates and excessive Student loan amounts are skewed as a result of Students that do not take their college career seriously and have not given serious consideration to whether they should have started College in the first place. Twenty nine percent of all students who take on student loans eventually drop out. This percentage has grown 25% in the last decade.

Less than 40% of College students graduate in four years. Fifty three percent of all Students graduate in 6 years. The extra two years in College substantially increases students’ total student loan amounts. A commitment and schedule, on the student’s part, to graduate on time would not only decrease a student’s overall loan amount, but would also mean that the student has a higher likelihood of graduating college since they will be closer to their goal.

Choose a degree plan that will serve you well into the future

We live in a different world today. With technology and the internet changing our lives daily, students should consider where the world will be in 10-20 years in deciding on their degree plan. There was a time when a student could simply study liberal arts and she would be sure to find a job. Now, with an abundance of unemployed graduates, a student should give considerable thought to her career plan.

A highly thought out degree plan will also serve to lower a student’s overall cost of education. Switching majors while in college can add years to a student’s eventual graduation date.

College is a costly commitment. Treat it as one.

Similar to a house or car, a college education is a costly expense. And just as you have to maintain a house or car, students should make a similar commitment to put the extra effort into their college education. Student should take classes that not only will allow them to graduate but also to learn things that will help them in their later career and life.

Students should also regularly attend class. After all, they are paying for this privilege. Students who are only looking to get that degree at the end will, at best, only have that degree. Students who put their heart and soul into college will come out of college a well-rounded individual who will be sought after by future employers.

A College education is still very much a worthwhile goal in 2013 as long as both parents and students sit down and establish long term academic goals. Costs can very much be minimized utilizing these goals. And with these goals in place, a student will be an employable asset for the rest of her working career.

Kimberly Lawson. Kimberly Lawson is the director of marketing at www.Boostapal.com.  Boostapal is a website where teenagers earn money when their family does their everyday shopping online.

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The State of For-Profit Colleges

For-profit colleges have been booming for the past several years. Many offer flexible online programs and opportunities for students who might not be able to gain admissions to non-profit and state schools. But is a for-profit college the best choice for students seeking higher education and career advancement? Recent developments suggest that the answer is no.

Struggling for Enrollment

Far from the earlier boom years, for-profit colleges are now struggling to maintain student enrollment amid allegations that they offer an inferior education and overcharge students. Many for-profit colleges are closing branches throughout the country. Even the manner in which these colleges are closing is contentious. In Connecticut, for example, several schools were closed at the end of 2012

after losing their accreditation. Regaining accreditation would have been a two-year process, and the students would not have been eligible for financial aid until the schools were re-accredited. However, the schools were still obligated to follow Connecticut law which included making provisions two months ahead of time so that students could make other plans. This was not done.

Burdened Students

Another way in which the tide has turned regarding for-profit colleges relates to the financial situation of students. Many either drop out, unable to complete courses, or graduate with staggering student loans and cannot find work. In July of 2012 a federal judge dismissed parts of a new set of regulations from the Obama administration that attempted to ensure that students of for-profit colleges did not end up in such dire straits. Nevertheless, portions of the regulation remained, and the judge acknowledged that there were problems with the schools that needed attention.

Projected Decline

Bloomberg News did a series of investigative reports several years ago on for-profit colleges and alleged that many such schools employed predatory practices against vulnerable populations including homeless people and veterans. Meanwhile, the corporations that own the colleges including Goldman Sachs and the Washington Post Co. are raking in billions. Currently, the stock value of for-profit colleges is in decline.

Changing Landscape

Just a few short years ago, traditional schools could not compete with the online offerings of for-profit colleges, but this is a landscape that is changing rapidly and brick-and-mortar colleges and universities are increasingly offering substantive online tracks. Some traditional colleges have even begun offering some free online courses for credit. All of this spells trouble for for-profit colleges that offered online flexibility as their biggest advantage over traditional schools.

Another issue and one reason students often have trouble securing jobs after graduation is that many for-profit schools simply have poor educational reputations. That isn't to say that there might not be talented and caring instructors at for-profit institutions or that no student will get a good education at one. But by and large, the perception of the colleges in both the business and the academic world is that they offer an inferior education.

Concluding Remarks

It is not impossible that a student could obtain both a good education and desired employment following graduation from a for-profit college. However, given the increase in online classes from community colleges, four-year institutions and universities and the increasingly uncertain future of for-profit schools, students would do well to investigate any for-profit schools they are considering carefully including whether the school has come under state or federal investigation, its accreditation status and the fate of its graduates. Students need to do independent research rather than relying on what the school tells them. In the end, though, the best choice is probably a traditional school whether the student takes classes online or in person.

Reginald Sallinsky is a freelance blogger and writer who focuses on education, professional development and training, the employment market and other kindred concerns. Online colleges, such as those online nursing schools and www.phlebotomytraining-classes.com, are likewise a subject of great contention in society, and a topic likely to be explored by Reginald in the future.

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Deciding on a College

College admission letters will be rolling in soon, and a lot of lucky high school seniors will be ripping open their acceptance letters from a variety of schools. Many will also have to open up a few rejection letters as well. No matter your situation, you still have to answer one very important question: Which school will fit your needs the best? To figure that out, there are several important things you will want to look at first.

You will definitely want to choose a school that you could see yourself being happy at. The things you have to consider when applying to schools are different from what you have to take into account when committing to a school.

Cost: Will it be Worth It?

One of the most important things you should look at before deciding to attend a school is how much it costs to attend, and if you can afford it or not. You should lay out your college payment plan and compare the prices of different schools, and see how they fit your financial status. If you have applied to a wide spectrum of schools that are distinguished from one another, it may be best for

you to spend more. However, if the schools have little differences then you may want to pick the one that has the better price.

Remember to factor in that most schools require freshmen to sign up for meal plans, and reside on campus. This can definitely add sway when really narrowing down your choices to one or two schools. Also keep in mind that costs add up over the years, and your initial costs of starting school could end up doubling. 

Quality of Life: Will You Be Happy?

You should also list the most prominent details/features of each school, and compare each college using pros and cons.

Visualizing everything you deem important, seeing it organized on paper, will assist you in coming to a more solid conclusion.

Experts say that students should visit their top three picks multiple times to get a feel for what life on campus is like there. Going back as an admitted student could change your perspective on things if you have already gone on a tour of the school before. Most people who visit schools pay attention to a lot more things than they originally did when just going on a tour. It is also worth it to arrange a meeting with a professor in the same department that you would like to study in. If you have chosen a school that has a wide variety of majors, programs and degrees then chances are you will be able to remain at that school once you narrow down the career path you want to follow.

Campus Life: Will You Also Have Some Fun?

The size and location of a school should also play an important role in your decision process of choosing a school to go to. It is considered okay to base your decision on location if the schools you are deciding between have similar academic quality. Sometimes factors such as the weather of the location you want to choose or the campus you liked the best can be deciding factors. It is said that people can greatly benefit from attending a college with an urban campus where they are not completely immersed in college life. This allows them to experience other corners of life and gain much more experience than one could in a small town.

Social life can become a very important factor when deciding on a school. It is only natural to think about how you may fit in and if you feel you will belong. Considering the social aspects is important because you will most likely live there for several years. So when making your list you should try to think about important social dimensions. Which schools have clubs, associations, or honor societies that meet with your interests? You may want to consider looking into different recreational activities that the different schools offer. Whether they are sports- or artistically-driven, finding interests that are common between you and the student body is essential for your decision. Students often perform better academically and socially in environments that fits with their social preferences and personality.

Keeping these aspects in mind, don’t forget to breathe. Yes, this is a big decision, but it’s also an exciting one. Maybe you got into the school of your dreams. Maybe you didn’t. The important this to remember though, is that if take the time to research, you will most likely end up at a school which meets all of your needs, making your college experience a success.

Angie Picardo is a staff writer for NerdWallet. Her mission is to help consumers stay financially savvy, and save some money with a Levi’s promo code.

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The Weirdest College Mascots

College mascots can unify students and intimidate opposing teams but some schools have chosen their obscure or weird mascots as a political statement, an off-hand remark, or as a campus-wide joke. These are the top ten strangest college mascots across America.

10. Washburn Ichabods
If you were a 19th century manufacturer and donated a ton of money to a college start-up in Kansas, you could get your name as a mascot too. Perhaps when the women’s basketball team took on the name Washburn Lady Blues, the campus uttered a sigh of relief.

9. Virginia Tech Hokies
A Hokie is simply a nonsense word gone awry. The word was used in the 19th century, as a synonym for hooray, and put into a fight song. The Hokie Bird, a turkey-like costumed mascot that appears at athletic functions, came from early military cadets gobbling their food.

8. University of North Carolina Tar Heels
In Civil War times, a tar heel was someone who held their battle position so securely, it was as if they had tar on their heels, which may or may not have been covered with shoes. Logically, a ram was chosen to represent this school.

7. The Delta State University Fighting Statesmen and/or Fighting Okra
The original mascot, the Statesman, was named for the Mississippi Speaker of the House. Though dignified, this mascot did not intimidate competitors. Contemporary students chose instead a prickly vegetable that thrives in oppressive heat. To this day, both mascots contribute to campus enthusiasm, but only one of them was featured on Good Eats.

6. Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes
Named as a protest against an overemphasis on sports, the Artichokes were at first meant to be a joke. No word on whether the ‘Chokes will ever fight the Delta State Okras in the Obscure Green Vegetable Bowl.

5. Webster University Gorlocks
This mythical creature, named for Gore and Lockwood Avenue, is illustrated with claws, horns, and the face of a Saint Bernard. It was inexplicably depicted holding a pump sprayer until it was updated in 2006.

4. The Heidelberg Student Princes
Arguably, the Princes are the only American college mascot based on an obscure theatrical reference from the 1920’s, but then again, one of the featured songs in the musical is titled "Drink, Drink, Drink," so maybe the intention was to appeal to 21st century college life.

3. Evergreen State College Geoducks
The crazy college kids in Olympia, Washington campus may have chosen the geoduck, a native mollusk, because it is known as an aphrodisiac and looks like a phallus. They also may have the only fight song to use the word squirt.

2. Saint Louis University Billikens
1920s football coach John R. Bender’s face had a similarity to a pointy-eared, impish charm, a billiken. For years sportswriters called the team Bender’s Billikens. At games, the Billken mascot looks like the Grinch’s paler, more athletic brother.

1. University of California at Santa Cruz Banana Slugs
Chosen originally as a protest against the over-emphasis of sports, the Banana Slugs have ironically progressed to be featured in Reader’s Digest, People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN as the best college mascot. It comes in number one not only because it’s cute and has no known predators, but also because no mascot has ever had such good public relations.

Byline

DJ Sweetin writes for http://www.justcolleges.com/.

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Jock and Philosophical Colleges

Jock

NE

Boston College

The city of Boston loves its sports teams, so it’s no surprise that Boston College students also love their sports, both varsity level and intramural. So many students participate in intramural sports that there are often lines to sign up. Varsity sports also thrive as students love to attend as many games as possible.

Cornell University

Cornell University is surprisingly very athletic, especially for an Ivy League school. The men’s hockey team is among the best in the country and Cornell wrestling is equally strong. The campus is so large that students have plenty of room to throw a Frisbee or kick a ball around, and many do. Intramural sports are also huge at Cornell.

Penn State

Football is an especially big deal at Penn State, and students often tailgate the entire weekend of a big game. Intramurals are not forgotten either, and there are often tournament days dedicated to intramural sports.

Middlebury College

Middlebury College is great at some non-conventional college sports. Being located so far north, winter sports like skiing and hockey are very popular among students. Students love intramural sports as well and one of the favorites at Middlebury is Quidditch.

S

Duke University

Duke basketball consistently ranks among the best in the country, but Duke has more than just basketball. Duke recruits athletes in all sports, so everything is fun to watch. If you are not much of a competitor, there are plenty of intramural sports to play for fun.

University of Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma is a football school. Football is life for many students who go to Oklahoma and then camp out to attend games. However, the university considers all athletics very important, so intramural and club sports are available for everyone to play.

University of Texas

University of Texas Austin thrives on sports. Football, basketball, baseball, and swimming are all very successful programs for varsity athletes. Fraternities and Sororities compete against each other in intramural sports, so there is always a show to watch if you don’t feel like trying it out yourself.

Clemson University

Clemson University lives football. The students are very enthusiastic about all the teams and will cheer for any sports. Intramural sports at Clemson are more than just exercise, many are an opportunity to try something new from airsoft to rock climbing.

MW

University of Michigan

University of Michigan is known for its football team, although all sports thrive there. Students are very enthusiastic about sports at Michigan and school spirit runs through their blood.

Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame is home to the “Fighting Irish” and the students definitely know how to fight.  Whether on the football field or in the ice rink, ND students radiate with school spirit.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University lives and breathes football. The team is renowned across the country, but the school promotes all types of sports. Intramural sports are especially popular and students can find any sport imaginable to play. Ice hockey is particularly popular for beginners.

W

University of Southern California

USC is home of the Trojans. Football is amazing at USC, but every sport is represented, even at the non-varsity level. Students participate in a wide variety of intramural sports and join clubs with their friends. There is no shortage of sports at USC and there is also a long standing rivalry with UCLA that makes cross town games especially exciting for students and alumni. .

UCLA

UCLA is such as large school that a student can find any sporting event imaginable. The weather is so great that bored students can go to a local park or down to the beach to play some ball. Varsity sports are excellent as well and the USC/UCLA cross town rivalry makes any sporting event more fun.

University of Oregon

University of Oregon boasts some of the best teams in many sports. Students are full of spirit for their Ducks, and they always rank highly in football. Intramurals are open for anyone and everything is represented.

Philosophical/Intellectual

NE

Amherst College

Amherst College has an open curriculum, which means that students do not have any core requirements. Students are free to take whichever classes they want and think that they will enjoy. The point is to make sure that students graduate as well-rounded individuals.

Brown University

Brown University allows students to create their own majors and take whatever classes they want. A Brown student will never have to take a class or subject that he does not enjoy. As a well-known liberal institution, Brown fosters academic and philosophical discussion to help students grow.

Yale University

You can find any type of student at Yale University, but almost all are insanely smart. Students will freely discuss politics and philosophy while engaging in “verbal sparring.” If you want to argue with smart people, then Yale is the school for you.

Middlebury College

Middlebury College is a great little school that emphasizes developing well-rounded students. Students are encouraged to try a little bit of everything, whether it will be useful later in life or not.

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Rice University

Rice University is a relatively small school, so students and teachers get to know each other very well, very quickly. Rice is always ranked among the top universities in America, and the academics drip into everyday student life.

New College of Florida

New College of Florida is a hidden gem in the south. This liberal arts college is similar to Brown University in that it lets students create their own academic paths. Students are also not graded on a traditional A-F scale, which many students love. The school’s goal is to create educated, well-rounded citizens.

MW

Carleton College

Carleton College offers students some of everything. As a liberal arts school, students take basic classes is every academic field, but the goal is to have students who will be prepared for anything. Students are also very happy to be there and love to learn.

Northwestern University

Northwestern gives students the opportunity to design their own, unique majors. Northwestern is known for its communications department, so with many journalists in training, a student is bound to stir up a few arguments and debates. If you enjoy discussion and current events, NU would be a great fit.

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis is an amazing school that often gets overlooked. The students are very enthusiastic about being there and enjoy learning. When surrounded by so many smart people, it is bound to rub off.

W

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College is a very politically oriented school, so debate about policy and philosophy are an integral part of the curriculum. Students at CMC love to debate and are not afraid to voice their opinions. In an election season, debate watching parties are popular in the dorms where groups of students will cluster around a TV and all watch the candidates while providing their own student commentary.

Stanford

Stanford is full of intelligent people from around the world. From discussions about Plato and Sapho to friendly arguments about food, Stanford will provide a great environment.

Pomona College

Students at Pomona College love academics. The school requires all students to take classes in every field before choosing a major, so that no one over-specializes. Classrooms foster debate, and students often carry the discussions to the dorms.

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Super Diverse and Plush Colleges

Super Diverse

NE

Cornell University

Cornell University is full of some of the brightest minds from around the world. It is a very diverse place with many of its classes and organizations dedicated to individual cultures and peoples. Almost every ethnicity is represented in the student body at Cornell. The Cornell motto embraces "any person in any study."

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University takes pride in having a diverse student body. It has exchange programs with other countries and U.S. territories so that students can experience the outside world. Stony Brook also offers students many study abroad opportunities.

St. John’s University

St. John’s University is among the most diverse in the country. The student body represents over 100 different countries and there are student organizations for almost every ethnicity. Additionally, its proximity to Manhattan is a big plus for students.

New York University

NYU, like New York City, is full of different people. About ¾ of students are from out of state, so that brings droves of NY foreigners to the city. Everyone will find a place at NYU and every culture is represented.

S

University of Houston

People come from all over the world to study at Houston and the city reflects it as well. All religions and backgrounds are represented at Houston.

University of Miami

Miami is a very diverse city and the university reflects the diversity.  Spanish cultures are very strong and the exposure to other cultures is one thing that students love at Miami.

MW

University of Chicago

University of Chicago is full of students from all over the world. About 80% of students come from out of state, so one is sure to find a wide variety of people. The school forces students of all backgrounds to live together, and students appreciate the perspective that the experience adds.

Andrew’s University

Andrew’s University is a small school in Michigan with students coming from dozens of different countries. The student body is made of all ethnicities and cultures. However, Andrew’s University is a religious school and might not be for everyone.

University of Illinois Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago often boasts about the diversity of its students. One will find any ethnicity, religion, culture, etc represented on campus and the school tries to incorporate minorities into daily life. The city of Chicago is also among the most diverse in the country.

W

California State University Long Beach

Cal State Long Beach is not far from Los Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in the world. A student here will find tons of variety as about 70% of students are from different ethnicities.

San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is so diverse that a student might feel like he is walking into a different country. There are clubs and organizations for everyone and every ethnicity. The student body represents almost every minority group.

Stanford

Stanford goes out of its way to find diversity among its students. White students only account for about a third of the overall population, so other minorities are very numerous. To get in you need to already have the grades, but once accepted, Stanford is a world of its own.

University of Southern California

USC is right in Los Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in America. The campus represents all cultures, religions, and ethnicities through student groups and the general student body. There are many other cultural events in the greater LA area  for students to attend as well.

Plush

NE

Smith College

Smith College has it all, from state of the art gyms to stables. Smith is not afraid to spend money in order renovate the campus or buildings. There is even an arts center which houses paintings from artists such as Picasso.

Wellesley College

Wellesley College has some great facilities available to the students. Most of the classrooms are high tech and there are plenty of couches for students to relax on. There is a movie theater on campus and the landscaping is absolutely beautiful.

Yale University

Yale University often reminds students of Hogwarts. Students are separated into “houses” before arrival and live with those houses all four years. The dorms themselves are like castles and one often expects to find Dumbledore at the head of the dining hall. Yale also has the second largest gym in the world, in addition to fun places to hang out, such as bookbinding studios, movie theaters, and woodshops.

S

Davidson College

Davidson College offers students excellent dorms. Some dorms have their own, free laundry service, and almost every room has its own sink. Seniors get to live in special college apartments, which underclassmen always envy. Davidson also has great hang out spots and athletic facilities.

Duke University

Duke University has some of the best gothic architecture in the south. The buildings are well kept and the athletic facilities are superb. The student centers are great and there is even a movie theater on campus.

Rice University

Rice University uses a residential college system like that of Yale. Students are assigned to a random house and usually live with that house all 4 years. Each college has its own advantages and specialties, but most are new or have just been renovated.  A new athletic center was just built, and TVs were recently added to exercise equipment at the gyms. There is also a movie theater on campus.

MW

Grinnell College

Grinnell College is always working to renovate and revamp its campus and dorms. The school has its own movie theater and most of the dorms have a distinct character. Facilities around campus are among the best.

Washington University St. Louis

Washington University St. Louis offers students some of the best dorms and science facilities around. It recently built new dorms with elevators, almost private bathrooms, kitchens, lounges, etc, that the older dorms do not have. The school also just built new science buildings and an arts center that is top of the line.

Oberlin College

Oberlin College has some of the best facilities for learning. It has a great new science center and high tech Environmental Studies building. The athletic facilities and music rooms are top notch as well. There is even a bowling alley on campus!

W

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University is always expanding and renovating. The school just built a new business school, for example. The campus is also very beautiful and well maintained. Housing is great for all students and most dorms have a unique theme that students grow to love. 

Stanford University

Stanford is Stanford, and everything is great at Stanford. From the dorms to the dining halls and classrooms, everything is very well kept and updated. The campus itself brings to life the beautiful mission style architecture.

University of San Diego

Students love University of San Diego because it is at the top of a hill, overlooking the ocean. The school is well maintained and flowers are always blooming. The buildings themselves have some Spanish/mission flavor, which makes the entire school more pleasant. 

All images are from Google Images.  

For Artist Friendly and Urban Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Math, Science, and Late Bloomer Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Super Diverse and Plush Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading
 

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