From gowns to graduation, heading off to college is considered a time of great joy, optimism, and enthusiasm for many. Indeed, the term “commencement” implies a positive, new beginning. Unfortunately, contrary to this perception, many students feel a heavy burden that lies on their shoulders when college comes around the corner. Countless students this year will graduate with mountains of debt. As more students go off to college and borrow money to do so, student loan debt in the United States is likely to top one trillion dollars this year, exceeding credit card debt for the first time in history.

The soaring cost of college is the argument many critics make who believe that society’s strong belief in the value of an education is misguided and contend that college is not worth the towering price of loans. Others believe that paying off college debt delays graduates from buying a house or saving for retirement. However, these naysayers fail to realize the benefits of college. While the expenses of a university may be higher than what one would expect, college is not overvalued at all.

In fact, college graduates have higher employment rates, bigger salaries, and more work benefits than do high school graduates. College graduates will undoubtedly have more employment opportunities and higher wages because of their degree of higher education. Based on economy and job projections as calculated by Georgetown University, in 2018, approximately 63% of jobs will require some college education or a degree.

An analysis by Georgetown University’s Center on Education found a graduate with a top-paying college major can earn an average of $3.4 million more over a lifetime than someone who graduates in the lowest-paying major. In fact, according to an article titled, “Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018” by Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith, and Jeff Strohl, college graduates are more likely to receive on-the-job formal training, more access to technology, greater autonomy, and the ability to enhance skills when compared to high school graduates.

Spending money on college tuition also has more benefits than just success in the future. The environment of college exposes students to diverse people and ideas. On the campus, one socializes with other students from different backgrounds and cultures from all around the world, creating valuable social connections and long-lasting friendships that still hold together after college.

Not only do college students have the opportunity to pursue their own interests, but they also learn from professors with a variety of expertise. In a 2011 article titled, “Is College Worth It?” by the Pew Research Center, 74% of students said that college helped them “grow intellectually,” and 69% said that college helped them grow and mature as people. In fact, college is an experience that shapes one’s life like no other. For college students, their surroundings, inhibitions, and self-motivation while at school push them toward adulthood.

Matt Perez 17’, a junior beginning to look at various colleges, notes that “College is worth the price.” He further adds, “You basically pay for what you get, and I mean that in a positive way. You get to carry the name of a college on your record, and regardless of the school, you will know what you want to do with your life once you graduate.”

Of course, one might assume the price of tuitions to be the root of the problem. So, why is the price of college expensive to begin with?

Some of this increased spending in education has been driven by a sharp rise in the percentage of Americans who go to college. Enrollment in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs has increased by almost 50 percent since 1995. The University of California reports that an influx of new students has caused the school’s tuition to increase by 9.6 percent on top of an already approved 8 percent increase beginning this fall. In addition to a spike in college students, a large portion of college tuition comes from housing. According to the College Board website, the average cost of room and board at a four-year public institution is $8,535 per year, which is $930 more than the cost of tuition and fees.

Looking into the bigger picture, there are smaller solutions to making college more affordable. Do not be afraid to be proactive and plan ahead with financial choices. While one may have a target school in mind, it is always good to have backup plans and look into other options that may be more cost effective. Depending on one’s career goals, a two-year degree might be a better economic choice than a four-year one, states Forbes Magazine in a recent article titled, “5 Reasons Why College is Still Worth It.”

Another idea to ease up on the price of college is to be open to different alternatives, such as saving money inside and outside the dorm. Students can save on room and board by choosing cheaper dorms and smaller meal plans, says John Gottardy, senior associate director of student financial aid at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Another wise alternative is to choose to rent textbooks instead of buying new editions. Unused textbooks could cost up to $200 per copy, but borrowing textbooks could save hundreds of dollars while still providing the same information. Most universities offer a textbook rental program, and local bookstores often provide discounts for students.

Clearly, receiving a higher education is worth the financial cost. College should be valued as an opportunity rather than an economic setback, and the price of going to university will pay off beyond the years on campus. Not only does college provide options for career change throughout life, but also one learns how to take on new responsibilities in an entirely different environment. Most importantly, college is an excellent time to learn about oneself not only as a student, but as a human being.

Krista Webster ‘16, just one of the many seniors sending out applications this year, believes, “You get to learn a lot more than just what’s in those textbooks. You gain priceless knowledge on how to put yourself out there into the world, and college is the perfect transition between high school and adult life.” She ends on a hopeful note, and advises all students to “Learn from your own experiences, and pursue your passions throughout life.” Indeed, there is much to gain from university, both tangible and intangible.