Is College Really Worth It?

k                                 In the evaluation argument "Is College Worth It?" (2010) Michelle Adam suggests that, depending on the individual circumstances of the person, higher education may or may not be worth its price. Adam presents statistical evidence based upon the Pew Research Center's surveys of adults ages 18 and older, and presidents of two and four-year, private, public, and not-for profit universities. Adam's apparent purpose is to bring attention to the increasing tuition costs when compared to the quality of education, ranking of education in America, and what factors hide behind individuals who seek higher education in order to find out if college is really worth the cost. Adam's intended audience is current college students and perspective college students. 

 Adam explained our assumptions of college through many examples. Education in the United States is not as great as some think. We ask ourselves time and time again, "Is this worth my investment?"  In today's society it is about whom you know first and what direction that points your career. We witness college graduates working minimum wage jobs at McDonald's or Family Dollar. If college students would start thinking outside of the academic box, we would be able to sustain the American dream that we long to live. We feel that Adam did a great job addressing many issues that are a major concern for Americans. 

The overall flow of "Is College Worth it?" provided interesting facts along with interesting data to support Adam’s central question - is college worth it? Although prices in the higher education system have seemed to increase, people still felt that college is a necessity (Adam 232).  Not only did the Pew Research Center study estimate, on average, that each college graduate made $20,000 more than high school graduates, but when compared to the 2010 Census Bureau data, the results aren't much different (Adam 232). Adam’s use of percentages makes the article simpler to understand and not only appeals to college students, but also to perspective college students. 

Works Cited

Adam, Michelle. “Is College Worth It?” Connections. Southlake: Fountainhead Press, 2013. Print.

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