Is College, the Gateway to
Dreams, Worth It?
For many years, students have grown up hearing
that in order to achieve their dreams and have a
successful future, they must attend college. For
many families, college is a goal and an indicator of
success. However, with the steady rise in tuition
costs, that dream is growing out of reach for many
students. So, is college worth the investment in
time and money? Research shows that despite the
risks and the cost, college is an essential
investment.
A college degree offers greater employment
stability and increased lifetime earnings. According
to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2019
the unemployment rate for Americans with a
bachelor's degree was only 2.2% compared to
3.7% for those with a high school degree. The BLS
also reports that individuals with an associate's
degree had a median annual wage of [tex]$52,830 in
2017 compared to $[/tex]36,100 for individuals with a
high school degree.
Although studies show that college graduates
acquire jobs that pay more and offer more benefits,
they still suffer financial burdens due to high
student loan debt. Approximately 40 million
Americans have student loan debt. In 2018, a
study revealed that a college graduate with a
bachelor's degree has an average of $40,000 in
5
Select the correct answer.
How does the writer develop the claim in paragraph 2?
A. by listing the top paying professions college students should pursue
B. by using data to compare the salaries of a college graduate to someone with high
school degree
C.
by telling a personal story about finding a job after college
D. by using data to show the rising number of jobs that require a college degree
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