In an era where influential figures like former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk openly disparage the value of higher education, it’s crucial to take a step back and remember what a college degree truly represents. Critics may point to rising student debt levels and question the return on investment, but such a narrow financial analysis ignores the deeper, multifaceted benefits that a college education provides.
More Than Just a Monetary Payoff
There’s no denying that on average, college graduates earn significantly more over their lifetimes compared to those without degrees. However, fixating solely on post-graduation salaries misses a fundamental point: the value of the college experience lies as much in the journey as the destination.
As Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, eloquently puts it in his book The Student: A Short History, college represents a rare and precious “concrete exercise of freedom.” It’s a time for young people to cultivate their talents, explore new ideas, and develop as individuals—free from both parental oversight and the pressures of full-time employment.
In advocating for the creation of a publicly funded university in the state of Virginia at the beginning of the 19th century…Thomas Jefferson maintained that it was essential for a citizenry aspiring to be “self-governing” to have the opportunity of spending a period of their lives dedicated to cultivating the capacity to “judge for themselves what will secure or endanger their freedom”, unencumbered from both familial authority and the burdens of toil work.
Michael Roth, The Student: A Short History
Developing Critical Skills
Beyond the intrinsic value of intellectual and personal growth, college also equips students with vital skills for the modern workforce. Through challenging coursework, group projects, internships, and more, students hone their:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Teamwork and leadership experience
- Time management and organization
In an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, these transferable skills are more important than ever. They enable graduates to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a wide range of careers.
Broadening Horizons
College also offers unparalleled exposure to diverse people, cultures, and ideas. Students interact with peers and professors from all walks of life, encountering new perspectives that challenge their assumptions and broaden their worldviews. This fosters qualities like empathy, open-mindedness, and cultural competence that enrich both personal and professional relationships.
Living away from home, navigating a new environment, and balancing multiple commitments—these experiences cultivate independence, resilience, and adaptability. Students emerge as well-rounded individuals equipped not just to earn a living, but to thoughtfully engage with the world around them.
An Investment in Opportunity
For countless students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, pursuing higher education is a courageous leap of faith. It’s a decision fraught with sacrifice and uncertainty, but driven by the conviction that knowledge and hard work can open doors to a better future.
As a professor at the City College of New York, which was founded to “educate the whole people,” I witness this spirit every day. My students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, aren’t just chasing a paycheck. They’re chasing the American Dream itself—the promise that through education, they can rise above their circumstances and forge their own paths.
There are not many times in most people’s lives nowadays when they can devote themselves to cultivating their own talents and opinions, without immediate regard to external constraints.
Michael Roth, The Student: A Short History
A Cornerstone of Democracy
In a nation founded on the ideals of liberty and self-governance, access to higher education isn’t a luxury—it’s a vital safeguard of our democracy. An informed and engaged citizenry, equipped with the critical thinking skills to resist demagoguery and discern truth from falsehood, is our best defense against tyranny.
When influential figures like Trump and Musk disparage colleges and universities, they don’t just undermine individual opportunity. They undermine the very foundations of our free society. Their “advice” isn’t a recipe for success, but a blueprint for a nation of uncritical minds, vulnerable to manipulation and authoritarianism.
Preserving the American Dream
In the end, the case for college isn’t about parroting slogans about the “American Dream.” It’s about truly understanding what that dream represents: not a mad dash to serve corporate overlords, but the freedom to question, to grow, to define a life of one’s own making.
For generations, higher education has been a beacon of that promise, illuminating the path to a more just, prosperous, and enlightened society. In this uncertain hour, as cynical voices seek to dismiss its value and limit its reach, defending that legacy isn’t just a scholarly debate.
It’s a battle for the soul of our nation, and the stakes could hardly be higher. The dreams of millions of current and future students hang in the balance—as does our shared hope for a brighter tomorrow. It’s a cause that demands our unwavering support and our most strenuous efforts. The future of the American experiment may well depend on it.
