Declining college enrollment
My parents were both college grads by the time I was born. They believed strongly in the importance of a college education. In the event, they had five kids, all of whom graduated four-year colleges within four years. By the time I finished college, though, only about 25% of American adults had graduated a 4-year college or university. That number is now about 38%.
College enrollment among 18-24-year-olds has been declining for over a decade. My reaction is ambivalent at best. College isn’t for everyone, and many people who graduate end up taking jobs that don’t require a college degree. On the other hand, I’d like my fellow voters to be educated. On the third hand, a bachelor’s degree doesn’t guarantee good judgement.
What’s going on?
“Most of the decline is due to fewer young men pursuing college. About 1 million fewer young men are in college but only 0.2 million fewer young women. As a result, men make up 44% of young college students today, down from 47% in 2011, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data.
“This shift is driven entirely by the falling share of men who are students at four-year colleges. Today, men represent only 42% of students ages 18 to 24 at four-year schools, down from 47% in 2011.”
There’s an opportunity cost associated with attending a 4-year college or university. Setting aside tuition, a college student could be out earning a salary*. But on average, the lifetime earnings of college grads easily compensate for that opportunity cost. So, the guys who possess the aptitude and elect not to go to college are, on average, exercising poor business sense, based on the data.
Many employers prefer a college grad, even if the skills for the job don’t match the college degree. Why? One big reason is that if you have a bachelor’s degree, you’re a finisher. You have a documented ability to complete diverse complex tasks on schedule and at a passing level of performance. Those are qualities most employers valorize.
I suspect that some of these guys will end up getting a degree later through night school or being supported by their wives who did go to college.
*I was work-study for three of the four years I was in college.
Fewer young men are in college
College enrollment among 18-24-year-olds has been declining for over a decade. My reaction is ambivalent at best. College isn’t for everyone, and many people who graduate end up taking jobs that don’t require a college degree. On the other hand, I’d like my fellow voters to be educated. On the third hand, a bachelor’s degree doesn’t guarantee good judgement.
What’s going on?
“Most of the decline is due to fewer young men pursuing college. About 1 million fewer young men are in college but only 0.2 million fewer young women. As a result, men make up 44% of young college students today, down from 47% in 2011, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data.
“This shift is driven entirely by the falling share of men who are students at four-year colleges. Today, men represent only 42% of students ages 18 to 24 at four-year schools, down from 47% in 2011.”
There’s an opportunity cost associated with attending a 4-year college or university. Setting aside tuition, a college student could be out earning a salary*. But on average, the lifetime earnings of college grads easily compensate for that opportunity cost. So, the guys who possess the aptitude and elect not to go to college are, on average, exercising poor business sense, based on the data.
Many employers prefer a college grad, even if the skills for the job don’t match the college degree. Why? One big reason is that if you have a bachelor’s degree, you’re a finisher. You have a documented ability to complete diverse complex tasks on schedule and at a passing level of performance. Those are qualities most employers valorize.
I suspect that some of these guys will end up getting a degree later through night school or being supported by their wives who did go to college.
*I was work-study for three of the four years I was in college.
Fewer young men are in college
Along similar lines . . .
A Mexican family lives across from us. Five children and one is out of the house and doing well. I was helping Nora (his wife) find sources for food which does not have wheat in it. Country Life and Healthy Heart are two sources I use to get certain foods (oats, etc.).
Back to the topic of your post. Three of the children ((one boy and two daughters), I talk advanced education too in order to get them on firmer ground later on in life. To them, I am the grandfather, so they take my commentary. Not that they will follow it.
Being Mexican in the U.S. is not a help and can be a hindrance. I talk education to them, even if it is a two-year degree. Since they are in high school, I also push math and writing. Both being essential going forward.
Since their grandparents are in Mexico, that influence is lost.
The older boy says he will get a 2-year degree. I am happy with such as long as he takes certain course too. The younger boy is too young yet. The daughters tolerate me. I still emphasize the importance now as they are young.
You are very right on having a degree. My dad never made it out of high school, I worked the scaffolds with him. He always said, “do not do what I did.” And the four of us are degreed.
Good post!
Community colleges also offer job training type courses. Today you want to be certified for jobs like electrician or welder. That involves classroom as well as experience.
Bill, didn’t see your message until this morning. Sorry.
@Jane,
I’m all for supporting community colleges and vocational education. Four-year degrees aren’t for most people.
At the other end of the spectrum, I see too many people enrolled in PhD programs who should have gotten a masters. Masters degrees don’t get the respect they deserve.
Jane:
The comments started again, We were just checking to make sure the last system change did not eliminate our commenters. Thank you for commenting.