Rethinking the Value of Higher Education

As a high schooler and for most of my adult life, I assumed college was simply the next step.

So much of my education was focused on preparing for college, getting good grades, and following the same path that everyone around me seemed to be following. I never stopped to consider whether college was even the right choice for me.

Now, as a mom with children facing these same decisions, I find myself asking very different questions. My perspective on college is shaped by my own experience. I attended a highly respected university on a full scholarship and stipend.

Most college students today though are taking on debt, sometimes a lot of it. I started asking deeper questions about education, work, and what success really looked like.

I came to realize that I no longer agreed with many of the assumptions that led me there in the first place. The world has changed dramatically, and the conversation around higher education deserves a fresh look.

The computer age has evolved into the age of artificial intelligence, which has changed the setting of future careers.

Student debt has exploded, with millions of people carrying loans for decades, and many discovering that student debt operates differently from other forms of debt. Collectively, Americans hold over $1.6 Trillion in student loan debt.

At the same time, fewer careers require traditional degrees than you would think. While some professions absolutely require specialized education and licensure, many employers are removing degree requirements, placing greater emphasis on skills, experience, certifications, and showing competence.

Parents often approach this conversation from a place of love and concern. We want our children to be secure, successful, and have opportunities maybe we didn’t have.

Because of that, the college topic can become emotionally charged. There’s often a fear that our children will fall behind, miss opportunities, or somehow fail if they choose a different path. But I’ve come to question whether college acceptance is actually a meaningful measure of either our success as parents or a child’s future happiness.

What most of us truly want is not a degree hanging on the wall, but for our children to build lives they love and find success.

One idea that’s stayed with me is that college sometimes functions as a way to put off decisions, rather than a destination. Many teenagers graduate high school unsure of who they are, what they want, or what they hope their lives will look like.

This is where the conversation gets serious. Teenagers are often asked to sign financial agreements involving tens of thousands of dollars before they’ve ever paid rent, managed a household budget, or experienced adult financial responsibilities.

Debt affects more than finances, influencing career decisions, housing options, family planning, entrepreneurial opportunities, and overall freedom. Those years matter because compounding works in both directions.

Debt compounds, but so do investments, savings, skills, and experience. I believe every family should carefully examine the true financial cost of higher education before making a decision.

As a parent, I want my children to understand all of their options before making major commitments. And regardless of what they choose, I want that choice to come from thoughtful consideration, not just assumptions.

The goal isn’t to convince every young person to avoid college, but to realize that they have options. As my children approach adulthood, I’m trying less to give answers and more to encourage good questions.

These are the questions I wish I’d stopped and asked myself before choosing college. What kind of life do you want at 25, 30, or 40?

How important is the idea of starting a family and what age do you think you’ll be open to that? What does success feel like to you?

Ultimately, life is much bigger than a job title. I want them to consider relationships, family, purpose, contribution, community, and the kind of person they hope to become. College can absolutely be a valuable choice in certain situations.

However, it’s no longer the only path to a meaningful, successful life. And I would argue it’s no longer the best path in many cases.