Are your kids college bound? I used to say YES! Now, I’m not so sure.
Growing up, I always knew I would go to college because it was simply an unquestionable assumption in my home. It wasn’t a question of “will you go to college?” but rather, “where will you?”. Don’t get me wrong, I learned a great deal in college, but I can’t say I use very many of those skills anymore. These days, I’m completely rethinking whether or not college is right for my own kids.
Declining College Enrollment
Recently, undergraduate enrollment has been declining nationwide. According to a brand-new survey by Intelligent.com administered just last month, almost a third of respondents aged 18-24 surveyed said college is a waste of money.
Reasons for skipping college and going another route ranged from high tuition costs, the COVID pandemic, and those who simply believed there was not enough value in a college education. Those in the last category opted out of college citing that a college education is not necessary for landing a lucrative job in today’s society.
Would you agree?
I certainly think things have changed.
The average cost of college tuition and fees has tripled in the past 20 years according to Education Data Initiative. Let that sink in. “For the 2021-2022 academic year, the average price of tuition and fees came to: $38,070 at private colleges, $10,740 at public colleges (in-state residents), $27,560 at public colleges (out-of-state residents),” says CollegeData.com. Costs are even higher when you consider the full college package including tuition and fees, room and board, transportation, books, and supplies.
According to Beata Williams, an independent college admissions consultant, “In my opinion, tuition expenses at many higher education institutions are often unaligned with the end results of career prospects and salaries. This is especially true for students who receive financial assistance through loans.”
READ: Raising Fearless Kids in a Scary World
Is College Worth It?
Are the years of sacrifice combined with the accumulation of college debt worth the financial and career pay-off or are students just as likely to succeed though other avenues?
Which leads us to the most pivotal question – should all kids pursue a university education? Not necessarily.
With my own kids, I’ve been rethinking the assumption that every child is automatically college bound. Let’s face it. Not every child is college-material. Some kids are studious; others are more hands-on. Some careers, of course, demand a college education or even an advanced degree. Obviously, if your child is drawn to one of those options and is strong academically, then the university might be a natural fit.
However, not all kids excel in academics or enjoy study. Perhaps a child is naturally better suited to other careers involving working with his hands rather than sitting at a desk? Many kids can make a happy, successful life of traditional trades or vocational school with similar earning potential to students who pursue a college degree.
READ: Turn Your Kids Into Smart Voters
Considering College
Ultimately, as a parent, I am currently undecided about whether or not I will steer all of my children towards a college degree. We will approach it child-by-child and consider.
- What do you want to do with your life?
- What are you uniquely suited to do, considering the talents, interests, and abilities God has given you?
- Will a college degree help you achieve that goal?
- Will a degree secure higher earning potential or a promotion ladder within your field?
- What is your current skill set? Will college enhance your abilities or run counter to them?
- Are you naturally suited to any of the trades or vocations?
- Where do your interests lie?
- How much debt will you accumulate compared to expected earnings in your field?
- How can you use your unique talents to serve God?
- Is a college degree likely to be valuable to you in the future?
I don’t want my kids to attend college just to say they did or just to have the college experience. At least in our home, we want to be open to considering more than one pathway to future success, even if it means redefining exactly how that might look . Our goal is to help our kids graduate from high school prepared for success in life, whether that includes college now, later, or never.