Defining the American College Experience

The average Americans with no college education are often split on the benefits of college education. The rising spending towards college education from taxpayers’ money has generated a lot of interest in the tangible benefits that are derived from attaining a college degree. Currently, the proportion of Americans who have achieved a college degree is about a third of the total population. The other two-thirds have obtained a high school diploma or dropped out. A sizeable section of American citizens feels that the public expenditure on college education outweighs the value it provides to society. This paper proposes that a college education produces all-rounded individuals with relevant skills to maneuver the dynamic work environment.

Any investment in college education is an endorsement of America’s brighter future and prosperity. Any taxpayer’s dollar spent to facilitate the learning of college students is an investment to be treasured, judging from the uncountable benefits that accrue from it. A college education not only benefits the individual but also has several positive externalities towards the community in general. This paper presents these advantages vis-à-vis the cost to the American taxpayer (Hout, 2012).

College education has some essential features that constitute it. It brings together students from diverse backgrounds, which include different nationalities, cultures, races, and religions, among others. In contrast, a high school population tends to be relatively homogenous with lower diversity. The exposure of college students to this diversity plays a prominent role in building the cultural competence required for their future employment. Another key attribute of a college education is that it cultivates the quality of being responsible for the students. College life comes with a degree of autonomy, which pushes students to make decisions on their own. They encounter numerous challenges throughout their college life and are forced to solve them, which builds their character. This experience builds the quality of leadership and tenacity required in a work setting (Saenz, 2007).

A college education provides several benefits that are over and above a high school diploma. It teaches students in various fields from multiple disciplines, which enhances their knowledge of a particular subject. A broader understanding of a subject improves the student's problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. It provides them with theoretical and practical knowledge applicable in the workplace. High school education tends to be narrower in scope, which diminishes the students' problem-solving and decision-making skills.

From this contrast, it is agreeable that college students develop skills and competence that inform them on how to deal with challenges encountered in real-life situations. The ability to understand and solve problems determines how successful a person becomes in their endeavors. A college degree is becoming increasingly crucial in the job market. Many employers are looking at a college qualification as their primary consideration while recruiting. This process has disenfranchised many students with high school diplomas. Companies acknowledge the role of a college degree in improving labor productivity.

Several opponents who have a problem with taxpayer funding of college education have an issue with how colleges spend the money. Many believe that the funds are grossly misappropriated, leading to a lot of wastage of public funds. Others believe that several students who are qualified and truly deserving of college education do not get a chance of admission into these colleges. Others are of the view that despite the heavy public spending on college education, there are still not enough jobs in the economy for all college graduates. For this reason, they feel that their investment is not worth it (Hout, 2012).

Historically, the views of ordinary Americans towards college education have evolved. In the past, most Americans placed a high value on high school diplomas. This trend has gradually shifted, and the college degree has now assumed the former position held by a high school diploma. The skepticism of college education of college education providing solutions to unemployment has also grown. The cost of college education has consistently increased, but this has not matched the pace of growth in job opportunities. This scenario has caused citizens and policymakers to rethink college funding (Saenz, 2007).

From this analysis, the American taxpayers have articulated their expectations that college funding should be in tandem with job creation. Potential employers agree that college education is important in the working environment, and thus, public financing is justifiable. The alumni of American colleges have firsthand experience with college education and hence embrace its significance. They expect that funding should continue to impact the lives of more students positively.

In conclusion, college education does more than increase students' future employability. It also instills in them the entrepreneurial skills required to open their own companies and become employers. Beyond the economic benefits of college education, several social benefits are derived from it. Research shows that college education significantly reduces the likelihood of a person being involved in crime. Investing in a college education will have a positive net benefit to society and the government. It will slash the budget utilized in law enforcement.

References

Hout, M. (2012). Social and economic returns to college education in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology, 38, 379-400.

Saenz, V. B. (2007). First in my family: A profile of first-generation college students at four-year institutions since 1971. Higher Education Research Institute.