Education:

A Necessary Hassle?

By Candace L. Hurdle

The opportunity costs of pursuing an education can prove to be more costly than necessary; which may

cause it to be discouraging and as a result less beneficial.

Does

It R

eally

Matt

er?

Unless you are going to be an engineer, architect, teacher, lawyer, the label on your degree does not matter.  The degree is a check-mark (as opposed to the focus) in most job requirements.”

I’ve been thinking lately about the value of a college education. I earned a B.A. in Psychology from Willamette University in 1991 (with a minor in English Lit, and almost another minor in Speech Com). What have I done with this degree? Almost nothing.”

Opport

unit

y C

ost

s Connie plans to attend a state college and study to become an elementary teacher. Listed below are the costs of

her choice.

Year *Direct Costs of College*:

Opportunity Costs (Lost Wages)

Year One $ 8,000 $16,000

Year Two $ 8,500 $16,500

Year Three $ 9,000 $17,000

Year Four $ 9,500 $17,500

Total $35,000 $67,000

Total: $102, 000

AN ECONOMIC MYSTERY

"When it takes, at least, an additional

seven years of schooling, and over

one hundred thousand dollars in costs and lost earnings, why

would a person want to graduate from

college….?"

Stu

dent

Loans