1. What are three of the reasons why people are asking the question, “Is college worth it?”

College graduates struggle to find work, some extent jobs that they feel they are overqualified for and many experience crippling student debt.

2. According to this first article, is college worth it? How so? (Make sure to provide specific evidence from the article, such as the cost of not attending college)

College graduates with a four year degree make 98% more an hour on average in 2013 than people without a degree. Over the long run college is cheaper than free because not going to college will cost you $500,000. The unemployment rate for people between 25 and 34 with a four year degree was only 3%. The pay gap is growing because the United States is not producing enough college graduates to fill the need in the job market. The average wage for a college graduate has risen 1% to $32.60 and people without a college degree their rate has fallen 5% to $16.50 across every kind of job.

3. Why has the “pay gap” between college graduates and non-graduates been rising lately? (This comes from the paragraph that begins with “The average hourly wage...”

The pay gap is growing because the United States is not producing enough college graduates to fill the need in the job market. The average wage for a college graduate has risen 1% to $32.60 and people without a college degree their rate has fallen 5% to $16.50 across every kind of job.

 

4. What does the author argue in the the last paragraph of the first article?

The new standard of education is 15 to 17 years of education. The old standard of 13 years would be a high school diploma and it is simply not enough anymore the new standard is at least a two-year college degree but ideally a four-year college degree as a minimal goal for every child.

For Some Graduates

5. Is college worth it for everyone? (Discuss using the data presented in the second paragraph)

Some people find that when they get out of college the only jobs that they are qualified for are positions that only require a high school diploma to get. People feel that they are underemployed and doing a job that could have been done by somebody who didn’t have a college degree at all. Economic recovery has not had a significant trickle down affect and producing new high-paying jobs. Many people who graduate with college degrees have significant debt as well.

6. What does Michelle Polyakov’s current situation teach us about college?

Michelle graduated with a significant college loan debt and she is finding it difficult to get a job in teaching. She has had to settle for being a tutor and live at home with her parents. This teaches us that college is a great tool but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a job when you graduate.

7. How long does it take the average college graduate to “recoup the cost” of college?

In 2013 it will take someone 10 years to recoup the cost of college.

8. What does the ROI (return on investment) prediction assume? How can this be misleading?

The return on investment prediction assumes that you graduate within four years. The average student takes six years to graduate therefore it is a misleading number.

9. What statistics are given in the second last paragraph (beginning with “The broader...”) about college?

40% of students who go to college do not graduate from college at all and 15% of students are in the last quarter of graduates and make no more money than somebody only receiving a high school degree.

10. What did you find most interesting about either of these two articles? Explain...

I found both articles interesting. I like how you can manipulate numbers to make them say whatever you want. Both authors make a very good point using math as their backbone to their article. Mrs. exactly why at I want to continue my education in math I want to be the manipulative person that figures out exactly how to use math to my vantage and make my point even if I happen to be wrong.