Understanding the market value of a college degree

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For generations, college degrees have always been linked to career success. It seems that graduating from college can easily mean getting a good job with a good salary. But in a real-world sense, it may not always be the case.

Not all college degrees have the same value in the job market. This is something that relies on three things, according to Forbes:

1. Academic performance
Just because a person holds a college degree like the rest of his classmates does not mean he will get the same job opportunities as them. Naturally, graduates with higher grades will be considered first for decent positions. Of course, decent positions also naturally come with good pay.


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2. Majors
There are jobs that are in demand, and there are those that are not. Depending on how sought-after a job is in the market, the general salary increases or decreases. When there are only few graduates qualified for much-needed positions, salaries being offered hit the roof.

3. Reputation of the college
According to Forbes, students who graduated from top colleges earn 20 percent more than students coming from lower ranking schools. This just proves that enrolling in a reputable college can be a valuable investment. Of course, graduates must also prove that they don’t rely solely on the name of their school. They must prove to their employers that they are ready to utilize the skills and knowledge they have accumulated in their escalation in the educational ladder.


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As part of College Capture, David Charlow helps families save up for college education. Visit this website for more information.

GPAs: What's their point, anyway?

How important is a grade point average (GPA) in the college admission process?

For most parents and college-bound students, the GPA is very important, often seen as the key to higher education. However, as admission experts like Greg Roberts, Jim Bock, and David Charlow explain, some colleges barely look at an applicant’s GPA.

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“It is meaningless.” Roberts, admissions dean at the University of Virginia, told USA Today. Bock, admissions dean at Swarthmore College, agrees, pointing out that “It [GPA] is artificial” and unimportant that Swarthmore doesn’t bother including it into college guidebooks.

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Although such statements may, understandably, cause confusion among high school students and their families, there are surveys, such as those done by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, which show that most admissions officials put a high priority on grades – particularly those in college preparatory courses. But does this mean that high school students need not put much work on their GPA? Not necessarily. After all, GPAs, together with college test scores, are “still the best solution to setting a bar on which to judge thousands upon thousands of applicants,” as the Boston University’s The Daily Free Press puts it.

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Indeed, a student’s GPA is not a perfect system, like what The Daily Free Press noted. Nonetheless, it can still serve as a good indicator of how a student will fare in college.

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