Return on your college investment

I recently read this USA article on college majors to ignore if you are worried about college debt. The basic purpose of the analysis provided in the article was to determine which jobs that require a college degree generate little more than minimum wage. I was immediately curious as to whether an undergrad psychology major was included. It was not per se, but several professions such as substance abuse counselor did appear on the list. So did playing professional baseball. Luckily, my goals for college did not include wanting to be a professional athlete. I did want to coach high school sports when I first headed off to college. If you are a college grad, you want to scroll through the list to see if an economic analysis argues you made a mistake.

I think we are in trouble if we look at college as vocational training. We have so many serious problems that transcend what any of us does to earn a paycheck and we a common core of knowledge and skills to take on. I have come to this conclusion considering our present political system’s failure to address inequity, health care, climate change, violence, etc. These problems are attacked by the acceptance of facts and the sharing of some basic values. These problems affect us all – PhDs or high school drop outs. We all vote and should be engaged in the collective conversations that focus those who govern and control.

I don’t know if free college is the answer. However, decision makers must get past the simplistic focus on money and consider the costs of ignorance and indifference.