October 25th, 2012 by Tamara Krause

Education Matters With the cost of a college education increasing each year, some people might say that a degree is no longer worth the time or the money it takes to earn one. It’s not uncommon to hear the horror stories about students who are drowning in student loan debt. Some students are leaving college with as much as $20,000, $40,000, or more in debt. Our economy has definitely not helped the situation, either. It’s no wonder many high school students are re-considering the value of a college education.

But for those who think an education doesn’t matter, consider this – someone with a college degree will earn, on average, $1 million (lifetime earnings) more than someone with only a high school diploma. Of course, how much you earn will depend on your choice of major and career, so it’s important to research possible careers and related salaries. The skills you learn in college (researching, group collaboration, creative thinking, etc.) will also give you more flexibility when searching for a job. For example, a student with an English degree may be able to find work in a variety of fields, including education, social media, marketing, and journalism. Even if you don’t find a career within your field of study, the college degree you earned will certainly give you more options than someone without one. For me, the answer is pretty clear – education does matter.

If you think a college education matters (or maybe you think it doesn’t), we invite you to submit an essay (250 words or less) explaining your position. One winner will be rewarded with a $5,000 scholarship! Don’t wait too long, though; the deadline to apply for the Education Matters Scholarship is October 31, 2012.

Tags: Big Money Scholarships, college scholarships, Does Education Matter?
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