The Benefits of Higher Education

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Higher education in the United States arose as an answer to the need to train clergy for the seminary. Throughout the centuries, higher education has evolved to become one of the principal means in educating individuals in specific areas of study. Individuals seek higher education to become more proficient in a particular occupation, area of study, or as a requisite for employment or advancement in specific fields such as engineering, management, or the sciences. The benefits that individuals who attend institutions of higher learning realize are more than education; the benefits are numerous and consist of socioeconomic benefits as well as personal benefits for the scholar, including income benefits, employment advantages as well as personal advantages. Individuals who attend institutions of higher learning offer many benefits to society as a whole. Some social benefits realized from those with a higher education include increases in the individual’s volunteer activity, as well as increase in overall individual health and well-being. A report from Analyst Diana Wardell, entitled “The Benefits of Higher Education,” states that individuals who did not complete high school made up 9.9% of those who volunteer their time, while those with a high school diploma made up 21.7%. Those who have some college experience made up 34.1%, and those with a Bachelor’s Degree made up 45.6 percent of those who volunteered their time. Additionally, those with a high school diploma, with an income ranging from $35,000-$54,000, 62%, report to be in excellent or very good health, while 73% of those with a Bachelor’s Degree, in the same income bracket, reported to be in excellent or very good health (Wardell, Benefits). Similarly, an article e... ... middle of paper ... ...ducation?” DegreeDirectory.org, 2011. Web. 5 May 2011. http://degreedirectory.org/articles/What_are_Some_Benefits_of_a_College_Education.ht ml McMahon, Michael, “Advancing Higher Education: The Private and Social Benefits of Higher Education: The Evidence, Their Value, and Policy Implications.” N.p., March 2010. Web. 5 May 2011. http://www.tiaacrefinstitute.org/pdf/research/advancing_hi_ed/ahe_privatesocial0310c.pdf R.A., “High School Graduates Employment Rates Compared to College Grads,” Fscboston.org. 6, April 2010. Web. 6 May 2011. http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2011/02/americas_jobless_recovery Wardell, Diana, “The Benefits of Higher Education,” The Advisory Board Company, 23 January 2008. Web. 5 May 2011. www.rowan.edu/open/provost/plans_strategies/documents/BenefitsofHigherEducation- TheBenefitsofHigherEducation.pdf

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