Education beyond high school crucial in 21st-century economy

How should we judge the worth of post-secondary education? Recent arguments suggest that the cost outweighs the benefits in this 21st-century economy. That our young people would be smarter to jump straight into the entrepreneurial waters or the work force, rather than invest in -- and in many cases, become indebted by -- a college education that may or may not lead to a good job. I could not disagree more strongly.  An education is still the smartest investment one can make. Now is not the time to retreat but to charge ahead with determination, and with eyes wide open. 

Let us face facts: A high school education alone is no longer sufficient. Our new knowledge economy requires more, whether it is technical education, two-year community college, four-year degree or post-graduate study. With just a high school diploma, young people have limited education, limited experience and limited options. They may succeed, but the odds are very much stacked against them. The U.S. Census Bureau's most recent data (2009) prove the point: High school graduates earned an average of $30,627 per year while those with bachelor's degrees earned $56,665. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2010 the unemployment rate for individuals with a bachelor's degree was 5.4 percent; in comparison, the unemployment rate for those with only a high school diploma was almost double at 10.3 percent. 

In our 21st-century economy, education beyond high school is essential. As recent college graduates face one of the most difficult job markets in decades, those with some form of additional education compete fiercely for the available positions. Those without find themselves at a huge disadvantage.