What do inquiring young minds want to know about higher education? In the 2020s, aspiring students wonder whether degrees guarantee a job after graduation, how to cover the high cost of attending college, what majors are more practical, and more.
Those who are headed to a four-year program, as well as their parents, can learn a lot by exploring the topics that attract the interest of young people. Here are the pertinent details about the top questions they ask.
Does a Degree Guarantee Employment?
In short, no degree guarantees a job. The major factor is the state of the national economy at the time a person graduates. In good times, almost anyone with a four-year diploma can find a decent job.
During a recession or full-scale downturn, even the most qualified can spend several months hunting for entry-level positions in their major fields of study.
How Can I Pay for School?
Parents and their college-age kids want to know about the cost of a degree. While prices vary widely between community colleges and top-tier universities, there’s always a cost of attending.
One reason youngsters try to get cosigners on their loan applications is to boost their chances of approval. A common related question kids have is, do parents have to cosign for student loans?
If a child needs a co-applicant the short answer is no.
There are no laws that compel parents to do so, even though thousands append their signatures to loan apps every year. Getting a degree and covering all the related costs is a major challenge for anyone.
If you are a student who needs loan money for a degree program, what are your alternatives when parents don’t cosign? Young adults don’t usually have a financial history or credit rating that meets lenders’ minimum requirements.
Fortunately, there are loan programs that can help older teens who are ready to earn degrees.
What Are the Most Practical Majors?
The list of popular majors among collegiate students changes every few years. Currently, there are several that attract the attention of corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and others.
They include Business Administration, Engineering, Science, IT (Information Technology), computer programming, mathematics, marketing, finance, and accounting.
While no major can be a sure path to immediate employment after graduation, those who hold degrees with those specialties tend to do well in the digital age. That’s not to say that Liberal Arts degrees are dead ends.
In fact, many who intend to go on to graduate school and earn MBAs or law diplomas prefer to major in Liberal Arts during their undergraduate years.
Is There a Pre-Law Track?
A few colleges offer designated pre-law majors, but most do not. Instead, future lawyers tend to focus on Liberal Arts, Business Administration, and English studies as a solid preparation for the profession.
Are Online Degrees Legit?
Online degrees are taking their place alongside traditional forms of attendance. Most of the world’s top institutions now offer complete degree programs via online platforms for students in nearly every major field of study.
A bonus is that online courses usually cost much less than in-person instruction.