The Importance of a College Education
On a recent financial planning call with colleague Amber Jones and a new client of our firm, we had a chance to discuss college savings for their daughter. It is always interesting to hear how families view college for their children and grandchildren. Some consider college a necessary expense, while others view college as an investment. Regardless of your college position, I thought it would be helpful to look at unemployment levels by education and income, based on the type of education an individual achieves. The numbers paint an incredible picture. Figure 1 underscores the importance of going to college. Not only are those with college degrees employed more consistently, but their annual earnings are nearly double those with a high school degree.
Figure 1. Employment and income by education attainment
In short, Figure 1 makes a good case for encouraging your children (and grandchildren) to go to college. Yes, there are dozens of college alternatives, including starting a business or going to trade school. We all know successful individuals who never stepped foot in college or tried a university and decided it was not for them. I hope this article is taken in the way it was intended—that is, if college is an option, it is an excellent investment worth the sacrifice.
Maybe you are a grandparent trying to think of a gift for your granddaughter—fund a college savings account. Maybe you are a parent wondering if college is a good investment—the answer is yes, fund a college savings account. Or possibly you are a teenager considering going to college—do what you can to make it happen. College is a sacrifice for families and for the one that is bold enough to attend. Nevertheless, the payoff can be significant. As far as an investment goes, I can think of no better.
If you have questions about college, funding a college savings account, or if you just want to have a thinking partner on the topic, call us; we would love to hear from you. College comes in many shapes and sizes. For example, a four-year degree, split between community college and Portland State University, averages less than $8,000 per year. Even if loans are required to meet tuition demands, the potential return on investment is immediate and over a lifetime, sizeable.