By Alaina Coats
Updated April 14, 2025
After high school, there are several things to consider. “What are you going to do for the rest of your life?” How are you going to do it?” And “when will you accomplish it?” A high school education jumpstarts your thinking about these things, and by graduation, most have a solid idea about whether or not they want to pursue a college degree.
Pew Research found that most college graduates value their degrees. Eighty-six percent of students say that attending college was a worthwhile experience. College teaches you several “real-world” essential skills that you probably won’t gain anywhere else at a young age.
Constant exposure to a diverse pool of people of different ages, races, and cultures teaches invaluable communication skills and collaborative skills needed in professional settings and relationships. But there is a price tag associated with most great opportunities. And unlike public education, earning a college degree is a luxury that unfortunately costs money.
Learning from some of the most brilliant academics at our country’s most prestigious universities is a privilege students don’t pass on, and most are willing to pay for a quality education even if it means taking out loans that they are not yet able to repay.
Realistically, the cost of college sometimes puts a damper on students' desire to attend. The US Department of Education estimated student loan debt to be $1.75 trillion as of last year. The average college graduate owes about $25,000 in student loans.
Students should actively seek out scholarships to offset tuition costs. Applying for specific types of scholarships is important. There are several to consider, for example, community service scholarships, essays, and merit-based scholarships. Thinkimpact.com reports that there is about $7.1 billion worth of private scholarships available to students. The average student has the chance to be awarded about half the costs of their college expenses.
If attending college is your goal, spend time mapping out a plan for how it will assist in fulfilling your purpose.
