Is College Worth it?

By Jordan Beaudoin | Published on October 10

Despite a record-breaking number of first-year students enrolled this fall at Kean’s combined campuses, surveys show that the public in the United States continues to show declining confidence in the value of a college education. At Kean, this year’s enrollment is 18,000 across all its campuses, including the main campus in Union, Kean Wenzhou in China, Kean

Ocean, and three New Jersey satellite campuses. However, college enrollment is declining nationally due to fewer college-age students and other issues. Meanwhile, according to national pollster Gallup, confidence in higher education is at an all-time low, dropping from 57 percent of American adults with high confidence in college in 2015 to 36percent in its latest poll in June. Among the one-third of Americans who have very little or no confidence in a college education,41 percent said that college is “too liberal” and “brainwashes” students.

Some 37 percent of the disaffected felt that college doesn’t teach relevant job skills, and 28 percent cited the high cost of college.

On the upside, Gallup found That among those with a great deal of faith in higher education, 27 percent of the adults felt that it is vital for individuals to be educated in today’s society;

24 percent said it offers better job opportunities and 19  percent pointed out that higher education allows students to think freely and learn to respect many different points of view. 

Students interviewed at Kean mostly said that college was valuable and gave multiple reasons why they should attend.

Two freshmen who have only been in college for a few weeks have no doubts that a bachelor’s degree is worth it.

Riley Thomas, a freshman studying early childhood education and special education, said a degree is necessary for most jobs.

“I do think college is worth it,” Thomas said. “Nowadays, most well-paying jobs require a degree of some sort. A degree allows more job opportunities.”

Ruby Crowell, a Kean Union freshman majoring in psychology and minoring in dance, explained that college is also an exploration. 

“College is worth it if you know what you want to do in the future, but it’s also the perfect place to find yourself,” Crowell said. “Whether you are undecided or don’t know where to fit in.”

Sophia Sacewicz, who is in her final semester at Kean, said college “is worth it on multiple levels.”

“It depends on who you are/what you want to do. College teaches you the importance of making connections and relationships within your field and critical thinking skills that will also be applied to your field,” Sacewicz said. “However, Not all facets of life or careers necessarily need a college degree to be successful.”

Some students said they didn’t think college was worth the cost, either for personal reasons or simply because of the financials of attending college.

One of the more significant reasons students question college’s value is that they struggle to figure out what to do with their futures. They are interested in only a few courses and become easily distracted.

 Two professors interviewed at the Kean said each semester is different but noticed that students need help focusing more often than not.

“I tell my students that sometimes the hardest part of an assignment is just sitting down and doing it,” said Professor Gina Gili, who teaches media at Kean in Ocean and Union. “ We need to train ourselves to focus on these school assignments as if they were assignments from our boss or a client in the future.  My job as their instructor is to do my best to make the coursework relevant, relatable, and skills they can use in the future.”

Professor David Murphy,  who teaches News Literacy at the Toms River satellite campus, said paying attention is challenging for students and professors alike.

“Students must do their best to engage with the material even if it’s not their favorite subject,” Murphy said. “However, professors must note if many students are “tuning out.” That could signify that their approach (or the material itself) needs to be adjusted.”

Alexandria Carvalho, a communication studies major at Kean Ocean,  said the college is worth it if students are willing to put in the effort.

“I think college is worth it if you want to be there,” Carvallo said. “You have to want to do it and have a positive outlook and an open mindset. You have to take it daily, and in the end, it will all be worth it if you put the work in.” Carvalho said.

Overall, students and professors interviewed felt that once students are genuinely invested in what they want to do, they have no problem coming to school to learn, get involved, and make new friends.

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