College: Is it Worth It?

I read an article today that compared the median salaries of eight common college degrees, and asked the question, College: Is it worth it? Of course it is, the more important question is do I need a degree to get where I want to go? The article begins:

What's more expensive than going to college? Until recently, the answer was easy: not going to college. Numerous studies over the years have shown that individuals with college degrees significantly out-earn those with high school degrees by $1 million or more over the course of a lifetime. But as the cost of education increases faster than inflation and the economy remains relatively weak, people are beginning to question how they spend their education dollars. As student loans hit the $1 trillion mark and more and more graduates are faced with years of paying staggering monthly payments, many are starting to ask themselves, "Is it worth it?" While there's no doubt that a college degree increases earning power and broadens opportunities, today's high cost of education means it makes sense to more carefully consider which degree you earn. When it comes to return on investment (ROI), not all degrees are considered equal. This article exposes eight college degrees with poor ROI.

The article goes on to show how little you will actually earn with some popular degrees, such as Sociology, Fine Arts, Education, Psychology and Communications. The good news appeared in my browser in a small article titled “Average Salary of a Commercial Pilot”. Good news indeed, in the first sentence: "The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 50 percent of commercial pilots made a median annual wage of $65,840, with only the bottom 10 percent earning $32,520 and the top 10 percent making $120,550." Being a professional pilot has always been a thrilling way to make a living, it is still paying very well and you don’t need a college degree to fly for a Regional Airline. Many people start earning a good living and build valuable flight time at a Regional, while earning or finishing up a degree in preparation for a job with the Major Airlines. Once you decide to become a Professional Pilot, the best way to get there is the straight line between Zero Flight time and a job in the cockpit of an airliner is flight training with ATP.