Is college worth the cost? If you focus on what you value in yourself and in society as a whole, then it’s worth any cost. View college as the oldest framework for sciences, medicine and professional education for most of human history, and realize it has been given to the elite and select few for a majority of the time. It wasn’t until the turn of the 20th century when an expansion in higher education and a generalized focus on educating the populace that college became widespread. It was fairly cheap then but Reaganomics has turned higher education into a new market that turns profits hand over fist.

Rising tuition costs and the stupid things colleges do to push students towards taking out ridiculous loans to stay a place with luxurious amenities is a pointless thing to argue against because it won’t change next year. We have the reference point of being 17 years old. We have not tested the waters of the real world, and have only stayed inside the safe harbor with our parents as breakwaters. From a younger point of view, college is the next step in our education and will sure enough become a financial burden and a tiresome four years. Is that worth it? Some say yes because of the long term with a fancy degree from some place of excellence and a chance to make a six or more figure salary. Others say no because of the head start you might get from a vocational school or apprenticeship and financial head start on your college counterparts. Both are valid reasons that are hard to ignore, but in all such a brutal businesslike fashion. There has to be a reason other than simply monetary to consider college.

Higher education is a financial burden. A burden that can be lessened because of the nation and community we live in. College is a time where people can open their eyes on the world or focus toward their goal and strive to improve. Having a college education may not ensure good fortunes through life, but it will guarantee a great appreciation for those around you and all the wonders and works of the world. College gives the opportunity to study and learn topics that truly interest you with like-minded peers excited for future possibilities, build bonds with these people that will last for years and who will support your continual growth and health. College builds more experiences and, we believe that everyone should attend some higher education, no matter the cost for a better grasp on the world around us. Whether that be as you leave high school or as you enter retirement, understanding what makes up the world is one of the single most important things.

After graduation, I plan on studying to become an illustrator, and I have debated what kind of education I will need to achieve this. I do not think that a regular university would be right for me because most require you to take courses in subjects like math and science, which are not a priority for someone training to be an artist. While I do believe these subjects are important, I would like to focus purely on my art. Because of this, I have decided to apply to art school, most likely the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. While you do have to take general ed courses in liberal arts subjects at most art schools, they are all focused on art history and creative work. Like any other college, choosing to attend an art school requires many considerations. All are different, but I think a reputable art school will provide a worthwhile education. It is important to do your research before making a decision.

Teachers are one of the main factors to consider. Many schools require instructors to be active in the art world, but other times, artists fall back on teaching because their own art careers did not succeed. Similarly, some schools hire artists who used to be successful, but are no longer in the business of selling their work. This can be problematic because the art business has changed a huge amount in the last decade. However, I believe that with good and up-to-date teachers, art school can be very helpful to an aspiring artist.

Some artists reject art school because the large tuition fees seem like a waste, as most prospective employers are more interested in your portfolio than your education level. The experience, however, is more important than the degree. It forces you to become disciplined, meet deadlines, and plan ahead, which is crucial for a career. Few people can impose this on themselves, so structured education can help those who are motivated but have a hard time self-teaching. If money is a concern, most schools offer scholarships, both merit and need-based. If you qualify, it can be quite affordable.

The main critique of art school, and the final one I will discuss, is that it will stifle an artist’s creativity and force him or her to conform. In my experiences at the Pratt pre-college and National Portfolio Day, this was not at all the case. I think what some artists confuse for forced conformity is actually just teachers encouraging students to get out of their comfort zone. You will be forced to draw things and use techniques you would not normally, but this will help you grow as an artist.

I think that being in an artistic community will help me to become more immersed in my work, so while maybe it is not right for everyone, art school is the next step for me.

“How much are you willing to pay in order to learn?” When considering higher education as an option for yourself—not Ma or Pa or to fulfill some predestined future and functionality in society—this question holds major importance. To answer this, one must split the two conceptions that have merged as one in the system of college education promoted in the United States: the idea that college some how guarantees you a future and the fact that college is a place for you to continue learning.

I won’t trouble you with a definition of “college,” but I will comment that the diploma you receive at the end of your college experience isn’t a golden ticket to a job or a family or a comfortable house in the suburbs, but a certification that you have been educated at something! If you’re interested in learning a subject for the sake of what that subject is, whether it be skills or knowledge, then by all means you should commit wholeheartedly to higher education. However, pursuing a degree out of societal expectation or the presumption of financial obligation could be a waste of time and money. Economic stability should not be the primary motivator when looking to attend college and encourages inflamed and profiteering schemes that have become prevalent in our culture (like the Bay Area’s $30,000 personal college advisors that guide students through high school preparing them for the “right” university).

Which is why it is important to remember that there are careers readily available outside of the realm of higher education. Automotive mechanics, electricians and hairstylists all work well paying jobs and none require a degree or a four-year university. Electrical technicians, for instance, make an average income of $56,000 yearly, and hairstylists have the potential of making upwards of $200 an hour. Now you may not be excited by wiring circuits or cutting hair, but it’s important to remember that for nearly all interests, skills and areas of study there are options available where college is not a necessity. It is of the utmost importance to choose a career and a lifestyle which makes you happy, and if you foresee yourself bored in a lecture hall, with moths eating a hole through your pocketbook, then considering a career outside of college may be right for you.