Is college worth it these days?

[NSLucs]

I was thinking about getting a PhD in aerospace engineering at MIT, but from what I see, most people who have great financial success are investors and people who start successful companies, often without even using the knowledge they acquired in college. I love engineering but I don't want to be tied to a job for a salary

I want financial freedom and work just as a hobby.

[WhineDeer(GotTrickedAaagh)]

Eh Who knows i know i won't be going i guess for some people its necessary

[smokerob79]

you really need to lump it for a decade and invest in real estate.....

i know people working in the space program....they are paid pennies for their intellectual property rights and enslaved.....if you do go this route DO NOT work for NASA.....always go private sector.....

[起风了]

worth

[Kargor]

Originally posted by NSLucs:

most people who have great financial success are investors

So, how much of a family fortune do you have that you can use for this?

and people who start successful companies

If it were easy, then everyone would be doing it.

[allegedly]

Originally posted by NSLucs:

I was thinking about getting a PhD in aerospace engineering at MIT, but from what I see, most people who have great financial success are investors and people who start successful companies, often without even using the knowledge they acquired in college. I love engineering but I don't want to be tied to a job for a salary

I want financial freedom and work just as a hobby.

I think college is a meme
but whatever you decide to do, just don't get in debt because that's the path to become a slave

[WarHeRo]

yes and no. it ultimately depends on what u want to achieve in life. a degree doesnt guarantee job security or a high salary.

holding a PhD alone isnt sufficient to treat it as just a casual pursuit. If ur goal is independence and innovation, u r better off building ur own company. that is, unless teaching and mentorship r part of ur passion.

[Iggy Wolf]

Depends what you want out of it. STEM fields are worth it, if only because the money you'll make afterwards will pay back any loans you owe. But only if you invest enough in it. Investors and business entrepreneurs are a dime a dozen.

But few actually succeed as much as society would make you believe. They all understand that 75% of businesses fail within the first year. So don't ever assume you won't be one of those.

Engineers will always be needed though. And if you actually have the brain and skill for MiT, then why not? Worst comes to worst, you can take what you learned and apply it towards a business in the future when you have more disposable income to actually risk investing. I know a PT rehab owner who went on Shark Tank and actually got a loan of $100K for his new product, but only because he already had his business as a collateral.

[起风了]

Originally posted by allegedly:

Originally posted by NSLucs:

I was thinking about getting a PhD in aerospace engineering at MIT, but from what I see, most people who have great financial success are investors and people who start successful companies, often without even using the knowledge they acquired in college. I love engineering but I don't want to be tied to a job for a salary

I want financial freedom and work just as a hobby.

I think college is a meme
but whatever you decide to do, just don't get in debt because that's the path to become a slave

Yep. If money doesn't bring you happiness, it can at least make you miserable in comfort.

[mai72]

Depends depends depends.

[Krypto]

Depends. If you have a good school that helps you post graduation, then sure. Otherwise, no.

[Under there]

money makes money and there is nothing more to it

[Eskimofo]

What you don't see is the other 99.9999% of people who failed miserably at startups and had to do something else. Made up stats, yeah, but what is the percentage of all who started their own business and became "wealthy" because of it? What about all the investors that failed as well? You don't see their stories.

When you get older, you will realize there's more to life than money. There's a little thing called "purpose" that everyone wants more than money.

[Y1N9]

**Argument for: College is worth it**



1. **Increased earning potential**: Studies have consistently shown that college graduates enjoy significantly higher average salaries compared to those without a degree. This increased earning power can lead to greater financial stability and opportunities for social mobility.



Counter: While there's some truth to the higher earnings of college graduates, the relationship between education and income isn't always linear. Some fields, like tech and entrepreneurship, offer lucrative careers without traditional degrees. Moreover, student debt can negate or even outweigh any potential salary benefits for some individuals.



**Argument against: College is a scam**



1. **High debt-to-income ratio**: The average student loan debt in many countries has skyrocketed, leading to a situation where the monthly loan payments exceed minimum wages for some graduates. This burden can stifle economic freedom and limit lifestyle choices.



Counter: While high debt is certainly a concern, it's not an inherent flaw of the college system. The issue lies more with the rising cost of tuition, the need for students to take on more loans, and the lack of alternative, affordable education pathways.



**Alternatives to traditional college**



1. **Online learning and MOOCs**: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other digital learning platforms offer accessible, affordable education opportunities. They often feature world-class instructors and cover a wide range of subjects, from hard sciences to the humanities.



Counter: While online learning has its advantages, it may not provide the same level of personal interaction, hands-on experience, or networking opportunities as traditional college settings. Additionally, the quality and rigor of MOOCs can vary significantly depending on the provider and course design.



**Re-evaluating the purpose of higher education**



1. **Focus on skills over degrees**: Rather than prioritizing the accumulation of credits and diplomas, we could shift our emphasis to equipping students with practical, in-demand skills that prepare them for the workforce. This could include mentorship, apprenticeships, and project-based learning.



Counter: While skill-focused education is important, it's also crucial to maintain a well-rounded curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a broad understanding of the world. A narrow focus on job readiness might lead to a lack of informed citizenship and cultural literacy.



As we've seen, each point in this argument structure has its merits and counterarguments. Ultimately, the worthiness of college in today's landscape depends on individual circumstances, career aspirations, and personal values. It's a complex issue that requires careful consideration of multiple factors and a willingness to adapt and innovate in our approach to higher education.

[Ȼħⱥꞥꞥēł8753452]

Trade school is probably better

[D. Flame]

Nah, just get some specialized training and certificates for a field that you will go into, and call it a day. Degrees aren't worth much anymore.