There are questions every high school student should be asking when considering a college education: Is it worth it? Can I afford it? How do I decide what to study? Geneva College leaders provide answers to some of these top questions and more in this series. Take a closer look with us.

Is College Worth It?

Did you know that individuals with bachelor’s degrees earn 86% more in annual earnings than those with only a high school diploma? A college degree can significantly and positively affect your earning potential, financial wellbeing, and career opportunities throughout your life.

However, there’s a question I’ve heard many times over the years: But isn’t it just a piece of paper? How can that possibly make a difference?

There’s a misconstrued idea that all you receive at the end of your four-year journey is a blank sheet of paper, handed over from one person dressed in a cap and gown to another. But not all outcomes of a college degree can be measured, and this diploma represents much more than could possibly fit onto one sheet of paper. It’s the wisdom gained and the character built through hard work. It’s the books read, the lab experiments undertaken, and the hours of practice in speaking, writing, and critical thinking.

Perhaps most life-changing, it’s the human connection made between professors and students, peers, and a vast alumni network that spans the globe. During your years on campus, you’ll find it’s the people who inspire you towards purposeful learning and challenge you to dig deeper into life curiosities. For a lifetime afterwards, it’ll be the many relational connections rooted in your college network that open doors for fulfilling careers, further learning, and lifelong mission.

A college degree opens doors to endless possibilities.