Tag: economy


Tax millionaires, not students, says Sen. Warren

Posted on March 7th, 2014

"This is real money that says America invests in those who get an education." -- Sen. Warren (D-MA)

Jennifer Lawrence might be America’s BFF, but Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) is the modern college student’s best ally. Her latest student loan proposal aims put a large dent in the nation’s current $1.2 trillion student loan debt and provide relief for struggling borrowers. Student loan plan could save borrowers $1,000/year As part of the plan, current student loan borrowers […]

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The wrong reason to go to college

Posted on February 26th, 2014

We’ve discussed the benefits of attending college at length, but we’re always quick to point out that even though college degrees are a good investment in your future, it doesn’t mean they’re worth going hundreds of thousands of dollars into debt for.

This funny video from YouTube personality Ryan Higa shows the downsides of college for many students and graduates: underemployment, massive student loan debt, stress, and studying subjects that don’t apply to your future career.

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Only 150 of 3500 U.S. colleges worth the investment, says former Secretary of Education

Posted on February 25th, 2014

"We have about 21 million people in higher education, and about half the people who start four year colleges don’t finish. Those who do finish, who graduated in 2011 - half were either unemployed or radically underemployed and in debt." -- William Bennett

It’s no secret that college is a huge investment in your future, and costs are rising at most colleges and universities. With the price so high and student loan debt increasing, it’s never been more important to be careful how you spend your college dollars. But which colleges pay off? Are 96% of U.S. colleges […]

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6 stats that prove college is worth the investment

Posted on February 20th, 2014

With college being such a huge investment, it’s natural to question whether it’s worth the money–or whether you’re better off just working and saving thousands or hundreds of thousands on a degree.

Of course, the value of a college degree can vary depending on college, cost, major, and what the student actually does with the degree. Still, research backs up the claim that college is worth the investment.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be smart about how you spend your college dollars, but these statistics clearly prove that getting your Bachelor’s degree is a smart investment in your future.

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How to measure college quality

Posted on January 27th, 2014

"The trend unmasks a flabbergasting reality: that those expensive university degrees may not actually prove a graduate is sufficiently educated to compete in the workforce. " -- Jon Marcus

As college costs have risen, more people have questioned the educational value of colleges and whether college is worth the investment. Consequently, legislators, parents, and students have begun taking colleges to task to prove their value for the dollar and their effectiveness. To address growing concern from the public over high costs and from employers […]

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Is college worth the cost?

Posted on January 5th, 2014

"In a world where about half of humans live on less than $2.50 a day, the opportunity to learn and study in a formal, dedicated way is still a gift, even if it has become a very expensive one." -- John Green

As we’ve written in the past, the high cost of college has many people questioning whether attending is worth all of the debt and time that could be spent working and making money. With the rise of MOOCs and other forms of online education, some have argued that a formal college education is no longer […]

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Average student loan debt rises to $29,000

Posted on December 5th, 2013

According to a report released Wednesday, the average student loan debt for a member of the class of 2012 was $29,000, up from $26,600 in 2011.

This increase follows recent trends, with student loan balances for new graduates rising at an average rate of 6% per year from 2008 to 2012.

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Advice for millennials, from millennials on student loans & money management

Posted on November 22nd, 2013

"Does an 18 year old really understand the concept of what $40k in debt is? I hardly think so. " -- Shay, Polson, Montana

In a recent Guardian article, millennials were asked what they wish their parents had taught them about choosing a college, student loans, and managing their finances. Millennials regret taking on student loan debt Many millennials expressed regret that they had spent so much on their college degree and wished they had looked into less expensive […]

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Can’t pay your student loans? This college will pay them for you.

Posted on November 20th, 2013

After graduating college, many former students have difficulty finding jobs that allow them to afford their monthly student loan payments.

If you graduate into a low-paying field, you may find yourself barely scraping by–even before you pay your student loans. The lowest-paying major for 2013, Child and Family Studies, has an average starting salary of just $29,300.

Houghton College knows the economy is tough, and it can take new graduates several years to make enough money to pay back their loans, especially in smaller cities, job markets, and careers.

That’s why the small liberal arts college in Houghton, NY has decided to launch an innovative new student loan repayment plan for graduates.

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Higher ed, lower debt

Posted on November 5th, 2013

"You can refinance an auto loan or a home loan.But when you're locked in on a student loan, you cannot refinance. It makes no sense." -- Wisconsin State Senator Dave Hansen

If you have good credit, you can refinance your mortgage or car loan. Why not your student loans? A new bill called “Higher Ed-Lower Debt” has been introduced in Wisconsin as a way of helping people with student debt reduce their interest rates so they can pay off their debt faster. If approved, it would the […]

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