Is College Worth the Investment?

Is College Worth the Investment?

Last Updated: October 1, 2025

BIG Ideas:

  • A college education can lead to increased earning potential and job satisfaction.
  • Lowering your cost of borrowing can increase the return on your college investment.

It always seemed like a no-brainer: after high school, you go to college. But with the soaring price of a college education today, you may be wondering, is that education even worth it?

The answer is still YES! Let’s take a look at some key reasons why college is worth the investment:

  • Increased earning potential
    Who doesn’t like earning more? If you’re a college graduate, you can increase your chances of that happening. On average, college graduates earn 86% more per year than high school graduates.
  • Reduced chance of unemployment
    College grads may also have an easier time finding and keeping jobs. In January 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders was just 2.3%, compared to 4.5% for those with only a high school diploma.
  • Increased career satisfaction
    The benefits of graduating from college don’t stop at increased earnings or lower unemployment rates. It turns out that getting a degree can also make your career more satisfying. According to a study by Lumina-Gallup, 80% of college grads feel their jobs match their skills, compared to 58% of those with only a high school diploma.

How to Boost Your ROI:

Now that you’ve been schooled in why college is a great investment, let’s look at how you can get the most return on your investment (ROI):

  • Choose the right major
    Most majors that lead to higher-paying jobs are in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). According to BestColleges.com, many engineering, computer science, economics, math, and finance majors make the most right after graduating college. But, not everyone wants to be an engineer, and that’s okay. College can still be worth the investment if you choose a major that fits your interests and strengths.
  • Lower the cost of your education
    Attending your dream school would be an incredible opportunity. However, attending a less expensive state school or community college for just 2 years before transferring to your dream school could be even better, since it can help you reduce costs.
  • Find scholarships
    Scholarship money is out there – whether it’s just a few thousand dollars or full tuition and a free ride. There are many ways to find scholarships and grants. At Brazos, we award a $5,000 scholarship every month to a talented Texas student and we also have our $1,000 No Essay Scholarship!
  • Shop for low rates
    Not all student loans are alike. We recommend you use federal student loans first. If you still have unmet need, private student loans are a great way to bridge the gap. Not all private student loans are alike. For example, a student loan from a non-profit private lender, like Brazos, can help you get a lower rate that could save you money. You can also lower your rate by choosing to repay funds while in school.

We can help make your college investment worth it

For more than 40 years, Brazos Higher Education has been helping make college education more affordable for students and parents. As a Texas non-profit, we can offer you BIG savings on various student loans. Contact us today!