This chart recently made its way around the Internet (and around our office). It attempts to make the point that college isn’t really worth it. Students either drop out or take 6 years to graduate, they drink too much, they learn too little, they take out loans for schools that are already too expensive, and instead of studying for absurd classes like Centre’s very own Art of Walking they stare at Facebook or play video games.
Having gone to college myself, I’m going to attempt to analyze some of the flaws I see in this argument (an act that, according to this chart, half of my peers with college degrees probably wouldn’t be able to do). I’m going to avoid focusing on some of the more blatantly questionable aspects of the chart (like comparing Yale directly to the University of Connecticut to prove that a graduate of a public university doesn’t make significantly less than a private school graduate. UConn is still a top tier national university; every state doesn’t offer its students such a solid option). Instead, I’d like to look at the group these figures are based on. The “average” college student.
There are thousands of colleges and universities in this country, of varying type and quality. Using the “average student” from all of these schools to typify the college-degree community as a whole is a little like trying to come up with the “average American”. All you’re going to end up with is a fairly inaccurate stereotype. If you’re worried about ending up with a college experience like the one described in this chart, do your research and make sure you go to a good quality college or university.
If you stopped the average Centre student and asked them what would happen if they partied 10 hours a week and only studied for 8, I think the resounding reply would be ‘fail.’ The average Centre student will NOT drop out after their first year (92% retention rate between freshman and sophomore year) and will graduate in four years (85% four year graduation rate). The average Centre student will be employed or in graduate school within 9 months of graduation (97%) and they will be making a competitive salary (hence our #14 Forbes ranking, based in part on average expected salary and student debt load). The average Centre student WILL take a class with a silly name, like The Art of Walking, Snakes on a Plane, or Japanese Culture in 16 Days. But, silly name or not, these are academic courses. Students enrolled in The Art of Walking actually study Kant’s Critique of Judgment, followed by long walks to digest and discuss the dense material.
In the book Class, Paul Fussell makes the statement that, “the only meaningful educational distinction today is that between the college-educated and the ‘college’-educated,” meaning, essentially, that every bachelors degree isn’t equal. I think the average Centre student would tell you that their college experience is providing them with amazing opportunities and a personal education, and preparing them for a successful future. And I doubt any would trade their four years at Centre for a Ferrari F430.
beauweston
Quite right. And you cited Fussell. I am so proud.
Because It’s Ridiculous to Compare an Education to a Car
by Dawn Brown-Piatt on February 2, 2010
This chart recently made its way around the Internet (and around our office). It attempts to make the point that college isn’t really worth it. Students either drop out or take 6 years to graduate, they drink too much, they learn too little, they take out loans for schools that are already too expensive, and instead of studying for absurd classes like Centre’s very own Art of Walking they stare at Facebook or play video games.
Having gone to college myself, I’m going to attempt to analyze some of the flaws I see in this argument (an act that, according to this chart, half of my peers with college degrees probably wouldn’t be able to do). I’m going to avoid focusing on some of the more blatantly questionable aspects of the chart (like comparing Yale directly to the University of Connecticut to prove that a graduate of a public university doesn’t make significantly less than a private school graduate. UConn is still a top tier national university; every state doesn’t offer its students such a solid option). Instead, I’d like to look at the group these figures are based on. The “average” college student.
There are thousands of colleges and universities in this country, of varying type and quality. Using the “average student” from all of these schools to typify the college-degree community as a whole is a little like trying to come up with the “average American”. All you’re going to end up with is a fairly inaccurate stereotype. If you’re worried about ending up with a college experience like the one described in this chart, do your research and make sure you go to a good quality college or university.
If you stopped the average Centre student and asked them what would happen if they partied 10 hours a week and only studied for 8, I think the resounding reply would be ‘fail.’ The average Centre student will NOT drop out after their first year (92% retention rate between freshman and sophomore year) and will graduate in four years (85% four year graduation rate). The average Centre student will be employed or in graduate school within 9 months of graduation (97%) and they will be making a competitive salary (hence our #14 Forbes ranking, based in part on average expected salary and student debt load). The average Centre student WILL take a class with a silly name, like The Art of Walking, Snakes on a Plane, or Japanese Culture in 16 Days. But, silly name or not, these are academic courses. Students enrolled in The Art of Walking actually study Kant’s Critique of Judgment, followed by long walks to digest and discuss the dense material.
In the book Class, Paul Fussell makes the statement that, “the only meaningful educational distinction today is that between the college-educated and the ‘college’-educated,” meaning, essentially, that every bachelors degree isn’t equal. I think the average Centre student would tell you that their college experience is providing them with amazing opportunities and a personal education, and preparing them for a successful future. And I doubt any would trade their four years at Centre for a Ferrari F430.