The switch from high school to college can be a shocking one. Along with new people, responsibilities and living arrangements, students are thrown into new courses. While these classes are meant to act as an educational exploration, students are being charged top dollar for classes that leave something to be desired.
The Center of Education and the Work Force states that by 2018, 64 percent of jobs in Oregon will require at least a post-secondary education. In addition, many jobs already require greater demands such as a master’s degree or Ph.D.
Most colleges exist as a four-year crash course and extensive learning process about a certain career, yet they are transforming into an expensive extended exploration process that allows students to explore new pathways.
“College gives students the opportunity to take classes in subjects that they have never taken before,” said Roger Thompson, University of Oregon vice president of enrollment management. “Students come to college to explore.”
Deciding what career path and major you want in college is no longer completely necessary due to the fact that most majors require additional education after college anyway. Many undergraduate degrees can stand alone in the field of interest but cannot get students the specific job they want.
“In America we believe that you can become whatever you want to be,” said Virginia Farkas, career center assistant at South Eugene High School. “With a major like international studies, there are a lot of things that you can do with it, but there is not a direct pathway.”
The Pearson Index of Cognitive Skills and Education Attainment shows that compared to other countries, the United States ranks 17th in overall education with a 38 percent graduation rate from tertiary education. The educational system in the U.S. is not ranked very high, but it does allow students the freedom to choose the direction of their future. South Korea, the second best educational system with a 68 percent graduation rate from tertiary education, has a strong national pride in education, holding students to a higher standard until they become successful in the field of science or engineering, according to Edudemic. This track determines what the students career will be and what they will specialize in for the rest of their education. The students lose the freedom of choice but gain a deeper knowledge of their career path before graduating from high school.
Having the freedom to choose a career is a great benefit. But just like anything, it comes with a price.
In the fall of 2012, 31.8 percent of first year students were undeclared, with 23 percent of sophomores in the same situation.
“Undecided students have a little bit better trajectory,” said Lori Manson, assistant director for UO academic advising. “They go through a period of exploration so when they do finally decide they are more sure of the direction in which they are going, but it all depends on timing.”
Yet this period of exploration can add up quickly. In-state students who take 16 credits a term and live off campus during their first two years can put down $67,207, while the price tag of out-of-state students can hang as high as $109,929.