Want your kids to go to college but they don't want to? MSNBC has some suggestions on how you can "sell" them on going to college. Here's my favorite:
Another compelling tidbit is financial. Point out how much difference a college education will make to their earning power for the rest of their lives. Explain how most good jobs today require at least a college education. Share this eye-opening table with your children early, and you may find that they're suddenly considering law school!
- Not a high school graduate annual salary: $22,074
- High school graduate annual salary: $27,975
- Some college but no degree annual salary: $33,948
- Bachelor's degree annual salary: $51,644
- Master's degree annual salary: $61,296
- Ph.D. annual salary: $80,225
- Professional degree (M.D., J.D.) annual salary: $95,175
(Median earnings, source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000)
There's a BIG difference between just graduating high school and getting a bachelor's degree -- wow! If this doesn't convince them, then nothing will. But you may want to try mentioning the frat parties, lively co-eds, blowing off class and sleeping until 1 pm, and the like. Ok, maybe not. ;-)
An education is probably one of the best, if not the best, investment you can make. For more information on how beneficial it can be, see these posts:
I got a chuckle from that article. Not because I don't think it's a good one, but because I was just reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and it is totally the opposite. Not that he doesn't think going to school is a good idea, but that it's not the way to get ahead. I didn't care for the book though so I never finished it.
Posted by: Kim | February 06, 2006 at 01:36 PM
College and beyond can pay off if you're in the right field. Some fields don't.
Gary North (garynorth.com) has a program for high school students and parents (I think it costs about $100) that results in an accredited bachelor's degree (4 years) for less than the cost of one year at an ivy league.
Posted by: mbhunter | February 07, 2006 at 02:04 AM
It's dangerous to drive by looking in the rear view mirror. The historical differential between college and non-college graduates reflected a relative scarcity of the former, and, as the percentage of people attending college grows, will erode. College will increasingly need to be about real value: actually learning something that matters to somebody, not just getting the piece of paper.
Posted by: David Foster | February 13, 2006 at 04:47 PM
HELP
MY DAUGHTER IS MAKING HER FUTURE PLANS FOR COLLEGE BASED ON HER BOYFRIEND. SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND A UNIVERISITY PAID IN FULL, HOWEVER, SHE WANTS TO LIVE WITH HER BOYFRIEND AND GO TO A VOTECH.
Posted by: JC | March 13, 2007 at 12:08 AM
how can i really make money while studying in the university?
Posted by: celestine ikpekhai | November 26, 2007 at 09:29 AM
I have made $60,000 the last two years and $50,000 several years in a a row before that with a Ged and 2 years trade school with 6 college cedits. So not sure where they are getting thier income facts from. I do work very hard as a HVAC/Sheetmetal mechanic but I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Posted by: Scott | April 24, 2009 at 09:39 PM