Why Attend College?

A college degree can provide your child with many opportunities in life. A college education can mean:

• Greater Knowledge

  A college education will increase your child's ability to understand developments in science and in society, to think abstractly and critically, to express thoughts clearly in speech and in writing, and to make wise decisions. These skills are useful both on and off the job.

• More Money

  A person who attends college generally earns more than a person who does not. For example, in 1997, a person with a college degree from a four-year college earned approximately $18,000 more in that year than a person who did not go to college. Someone with a two-year associate's degree also tends to earn more than a high school graduate.

• Greater Potential

  A college education can help increase your child's understanding of the community, the Nation, and the world -- as he or she explores interests, discovers new areas of knowledge, considers lifelong goals, and becomes a responsible citizen.

• More Job Opportunities

  The world is changing rapidly. Many jobs rely on new technology and already require more brain power than muscle power. In your child's working life, more and more jobs will require education beyond high school. With a college education, your child will have more jobs from which to choose.

Some of these benefits of college may not be obvious to your child. Even though he or she has to make the final decision to attend college, you can help in the decision-making process by learning about all aspects of college yourself and sharing what you learn with your child.