Is the University Experience Worth the Money?

Question

Tuition is expensive
Books are expensive
Meal plans are expensive
Life is expensive
--But does fun (partying, girls, guys, interactions) and the schooling experience (life experience, knowledge, achievements) over-ride the above expenses

Answer 1

Absolutely!!!
College life is not just about the school, it is about the first foot in to adulthood. The University experience not only allows for a better education and so more earning potential, but life experience. That life experience arms students with the skills necessary to survive in "the real world". I learned to set my own curfew, pay bills, do laundry, feed myself three times a day, and acquire general responsibility for myself. These were skills that could not be taught in a classroom. I'd stay away from the Greek life if possible. At most schools it is just a drinking club and can be dangerous as a result.

Answer 2

Of course they over-ride those expenses. The amount of grants and loans that students can receive is very large. They can work part time as either work study jobs or just work part time. The college experience is too valuable in both learning how to be an adult and take care of yourself and also figuring out what you want in life and what career you might enjoy.

My 4 years of college were the best and in today's world just a basic degree isn't even good enough anymore and it's almost necessary to have a masters. I say forget about the expenses and invest in the future instead of worrying about it just make it happen. If you are the parent paying for this you want to show your child, that anything is possible and if takes some figuring out and crunching numbers that you are an achiever and a leader and can make it happen, now that's being a good parent, go get'em tiger!!

Regards,
Drunken College Graduate

Answer 3

It isn't the University Experience you need to be worried about. It is the education that you will gain. The degree that you get will open up a lot of nice doors, or at least nicer doors than without it.

There is tuition at schools that fit everyone's budget. I think I paid about $1500 a semester, got to be too much, so I got scholarships and loans. You have to eat whether you are in school or not. And if you keep your life simple and focus on your studies, all you have is bills for a place to stay and food to eat. Life isn't too expensive if you are keeping it simple.

The fun doesn't need to be in there unless you want it, but I wouldn't suggest going to get a degree if it isn't in something you are either interested in or something you can make some money in. Don't go to Princeton to get a bachelor's degree in basket weaving. Before you spend the money or take out the loan, look at what the most likely profession with that degree makes, then you can budget paying your loans off and if it takes more than 1 year (pre-tax) salary to pay it off, it isn't worth it.

Answer 4

hey, yes tuition, books, and meal plans are expensive, however they are necessary to get through college. and the whole experience of college does in fact over ride those expenses, and the fact that you learn so much, about life, love, education, everything. you meet so many people and learn a lot about them. partying is something that needs to be taken in small dosages tho, because once you fall behind, its gonna become quite hard to get back on track. in m freshman year there were girls in my suite who would drink every night, adn go out every tuesday adn thrurday and the weekends, they were really smart but they screwed themselves over. you should enjoy college because its the one time in your life when you are free to do what you want, however have responsibilities. after college you'll have to get a steady job, and then relationships, and you're gonna become a "grownup".these are the days to remember and enjoy, and if you are paying for all this it is worth it. howevre there is anotehr way to look at it too, maybe you think the amount you are paying is too much, then try a public university, not a community college, but a state university. people always say oh its a party school, but thats never honestly true, its thier opinion, not a fact. because you still see thousands of kids enrolled there. well i hope i helped.

Answer 5

Even if you have to live off loans for 5 years it will be the best money you ever spent. Not only is it the cheapest money you'll ever borrow, it is the greatest investment in yourself. People find themselves at college. That's where you are able to grow intellectually, physically and emotionally while living on your own in a relatively safe environment. Not to mention all the fun you have partying and meeting new people. What is the alternative? The amount your lifetime earnings will improve by having a college degree and being able to be promoted above boring jobs is worth the expenses in itself.

Answer 6

Your right life is expensive. Going through school is very hard and expensive. Now imagine how your life would be if you didnt go through the university. You would be trying to live the American dream and would more than likely be living pay check to pay check and trying to raise a family. You can still have fun and a school experience. Going through college is expensive for a few years but without it your life will be even harder. Unless you have a special talent you need a bachelors degree to excel and the only way to do that is to go through a university.

Answer 7

Yes, tuition is expensive no doubt. Books are expensive but it doesn't trade for the education benefit. Meals are expensive yes, but as humans we have to fuel ourselves. Indeed life is very expensive at the expense of our finger tips. Yes, you answered your own question that all the fun, socializing aspect and educational achievent and knowledge DOES override. Motivate yourself to go to college. I wouldn't trade it for any other of my life experiences. I always look back and laugh at my collegiate days... because it was the time where I grew personally the most. It allowed me to appreicate my life more while I was a struggling college student. And still is a struggling Graduate student. You should do it for yourself.

Answer 8

O my gosh yes. I am a mother of five children who puts in a lot of mid-night oil to meet my education goals. The college experience, not only increases your education level, but rather teaches you lessons you will lose throughout your life. My answer here is based on my expereince. As someone who is both paying for her own tuitions, and gaining the experiences from it, I would definately have to vote a yes on this one. Yes, life is expensive, but in the long run you get what you pay for. Cough out the cash and enjoy the experience of a college class room environment.

Answer 9

Well this question can be answered by another question...What exactly are your career goals in life? If you wish to go into professional services where a Bachelor's degree is required then yes the costs associated with going to college (whether they be monetary or otherwise) are well worth that expenditure...However, if you wish to go into jobs that don't require that skill set or knowledge base then you may wish to reconsider your decision of going to college...

Answer 10

It is worth the money but the student has to have boundaries. The learning, the social aspects, the independency are all important. If the kid plans to party all the time, then it's not worth it.