The importance of a college diploma?

Question

we live in an age where the society thinks that one can succeed only through sheer education and thus, through receiving a college degree/diploma. however there are many people who have reached what the society defines as 'success' without actually graduating college.

do you think a college diploma is really worth it? why or why not?

Answer 1

yes, but for one reason only.

It forces the student to keep going, with a final goal in sight, in a structured, time-sensitive manner.

If a person studied a subject on their own, they would never stick to it .  They need to be forced to study, by given grades.

Most colleges are disgusting, evil liberal communist S**t-holes, but there are a few good ones remaining.

Answer 2

In a nutshell, yes.

First a caveat: this is purely my own opinion, not some ultimate truth. So, to be more precise, if you are interested in pursuing what the society defines as 'success' (your inverted commas) then it is worthwhile to get the cert. First, education does have its benefits, by putting people through the mental stresses that the world will give anyway, and also the necessary skills and ways of thinking. Fields such as architecture and Business Adminstration, for instance, will certainly require a fixed skill set as the basics. Secondly, it gives you a possible backup, as a springboard of gonig for something that you might want to do, but not have the necessary qualifications or experience to do it. Suppose you have a degree in, say, Business but really want to start your own cafe business, your paper qualifications might help you in running what you want to do, and gives you a way out if you (touchwood) fail in your venture. Same goes for people who wants to try a different career track. It is common for people to look at 'successes', but for every success there will unfortunately be many more failures, and a cert give you an alternative, an escape route. Not many people can afford to fail more than once.

Besides, what can really be granted as 'success' in the end? Simply making lots of money? Or satisfaction? Recognition? Having truly make a mark in what you feel is right and proper to do? Have an answer to your own idea of success and the answer of whether a diploma is really worth it will come to you naturally.

Answer 3

http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab7.htm

Yes.  You will make more over your lifetime, which is very important these days, considering companies are doing away with pensions and social security will not be around for future generations.  With more education you gain control over your future...you have greater flexibility with job choices.  The above graph shows median differences...keep in mind that 50% make over the median.  Having control over one's life is very much related to better mental health, and physical health.  Yes, a college diploma is very much "really worth it".  

(psychologist)