College Grads & Non-Grads

High school is almost over for Zeeland’s class of 2011; their journey will begin either by going to college to earn a degree or going to work right after high school without further education. The decision is easy for many seniors, it’s to attend a college or university and earn a degree. Most college’s and universities in the state of Michigan averages about $20,000 a year, which includes dorms and tuition. An average high school graduate earns only about $31,000 a year before taxes. Most students who go to a college or university will earn a bachelor’s degree, which is 4 – 4.5 years depending on the field of study. Going to college includes loans that would change your life if you did not succeed. The average loan would be $80,000 – $100,000 four years at the college or university of choice. You are going to be paying that debt over the next 30 years of your life. However, educator Kevin Crinion says that, “Yes, it’s worth it.” He also said it took his about 4 and a half to get his Bachelors Degree and another 2 years for his masters. A lengthy endeavor indeed, as well as expensive. When asked about the military, Crinion responded with, “ It is a good way to pay for college, but there are risks, of course. If my child told me that they were going into the Army, I would be concerned, but, that’s, their choice.