There are many factors that will affect a person's life. The most important of" these factors is whether or not one has a college degree. There are many reasons why obtaining a college degree has such a strong influence on one's life. .
A college education can open many doors in a person's search for a career. People that have attained a college degree are hired in at a higher pay and are considered to be much more employable. This means that a college graduate would be more likely to be offered employment than another who did not attend college or did not attain a degree. The unemployment rate for a person with less than a high school diploma is more than three times that of a person with a college degree (U.S. Department of Labor). .
College will also assist in preparing a person for a career in a particular field. In a vast majority of highly specialized jobs, if one does not have a college degree, there is little to no possibility of securing a career in that chosen field. College will give a person the tools to succeed in the field of their choice. These tools would not be available to most people who do not attend college. .
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Another aspect that should be considered is the fact that people with a college degree will earn $650,000 more over their lifetime than someone who does not have a degree (U.S. Deptartment of Labor). As a person's level of education increases, so does their income level. For example: In Massachusetts, the average income for a high school graduate is $46,523. A person who has a bachelor's degree has an average income of $81,026. For persons with a master's degree, the average income increases to $96,519 (U.S. Census Bureau). As one can see, there is a substantial increase in the average income between a person with no degree and one with a college degree. .
A person who earns a college degree will also have more knowledge at their disposal that will benefit them both at work and in their personal lives.