Quick Homework. I'd like it back today 11/17/2020

CALCULATE: What is the Value of a College Education?

Before we calculate the value of a college education, let’s make an estimate. Without using the chart on the next page , answer the three questions below. Be prepared to discuss these answers.

Remember, these are simply estimates. It is less important that your answers are correct, and more about how you arrived at your answers. The process is the most important part so be sure to explain your thoughts in great detail.

1. Estimate the quantitative (in dollars) value of a college education? How much money is it worth?

2. How did you arrive at your answer? Explain your thought process in 4-5 sentences.

3. What other value does college have besides in dollars?

While the true value of a college education will be different for everyone, we do have statistics that can give us a reasonably accurate picture. Below is a chart that displays the median weekly earnings of U.S. citizens, grouped by the amount of education they’ve completed. We are going to examine three categories in this chart:

· High School Diploma - These people graduated high school but never attended college

· Some college, no degree - These people attended college, but did not graduate

· Bachelor’s Degree - These people graduated from a four-year undergraduate college or university (but did not go on to achieve higher degrees)

Use the chart to fill in the information in the table below. Then answer the questions underneath the table.

4. How much more value are you creating for yourself over a 40-year career by completing college than only completing high school? Please show your work.

5. How much more value are you creating for yourself over a 40-year career by completing college than starting college but not finishing? Please show your work.

6. What is your initial reaction to seeing the value of a college education? What emotion(s) did you feel? Surprise? Frustration? Happiness? Explain your answer.

7. How did your estimation compare to the actual value of a college education?

8. Why do you think the value of some college is much closer to a high school diploma than a bachelor’s degree?

9. Does this change your views on whether a college education is a smart investment? If yes, explain why. If no, explain why not.

www.ngpf.org Last updated: 9/12/17

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