Is a liberal arts education worth it?

[Flynn]

I do not regret my Liberal Arts education for a second.

Nope.


I was able to take classes that opened my eyes to so many subjects and fields I had no experience with. I learned how to "think" and problem solve on a higher level. I experienced success academically in areas I didn't think I was all that good at. I had small classes and really "knew" my professors who helped me "get to know myself" a great deal.

My private liberal arts education was a win win. No two ways about it.

[Flynn]

Lily Said:

I think there's beauty in knowledge, and I believe that everything I learn is important and worthwhile. Even if it's something I don't use to make money.

Very well said Lily.

I agree 100%!!!!

[houseelf]

Flynn, I think that we cross posted.

Just to play devil's advocate, would you still feel this way if it meant that you had to pay an extra $1,000 a month in student loans for a decade or two after college, thereby effectively negating many choices like staying at home or working part time? I guess that this is where I have a really hard time with some of these small uber expensive schools. I know an attorney whose student loan payments are $1300 a month spread out over 30 years. There will be no staying at home for her nor any community or philanthropic based practice of law. Essentially, her choice from her teens and twenties will make life choices for her through her fifties. This is the sort of situation where I really have a hard time seeing the additional value offered by a small, private liberal arts undergrad.

Ack, I hope that this isn't too offensive. At the end of the day, I'm speaking about my own experience.

Peace.

Kelly

[Flynn]

Kelly,

No offense taken at all!!

You're right...I am commenting on my experience and I graduated without a penny of debt...as did my siblings. I am very thankful for this.

I went to a "bargain" as far as private schools go. I am fairly certain it was in the 14-18 thousand dollar a year ball park. That seems a lark compared to the 30,000 + some of them charge now.

Yes, it's quite possible I would think differently if I had loans that followed me my whole life and limited some of my choices. Good point.

[Stella]

Ok, I'll preface this with the fact that I get very defensive about my school.


Virginia is known to be a *very* liberal studies oriented University. IMO (and many others') it is a private school with a little public funding (less than 50%). It is medium-sized, elite, and I majored in English with a minor in Art. Would I trade it for Yale? Doubtful. Would I trade it for a cheaper state school? Hell no. I had the opportunity to go to other colleges for free and I declined.

Also, I started college as an Environmental Sciences major, as this is the area in which I concentrated in high school. After the first year, I changed my mind. I talked with my dad. I told him my interest lay in English and Arts. He suggested Computer Engineering, Economics, and Business. I gave them a shot and finally settled on English at the very last second. I had to follow my heart and I am SO GLAD that I did. I want to work to live, not live to work. I would be happiest staying home and not working - just reading on the couch and painting all day.

One thing that my mother has always told me (despite not having a degree herself) is: Your education is the only thing that no one can take away from you. You can lose your house, your car, your job - even your husband - but they can't take away your degree or your life lessons or the experience of your education.

I guess it just depends on the person.

Wahoowa.

[SuzySunshine]

I will preface this by saying - I don't have a liberal arts education but since I have left college I have learned a lot about how this world works and see a lot of things I would have done differently.

I have a business degree - again b/c it was the "practical" thing to do. HOGWASH! If I had it to do all over again I would have taken classes until I found something I was passionate about - majored in that and networked like crazy while studying like crazy. The people who get the best jobs out of college, IMO, are the ones with higher grades that market themselves well. Whether that be through a professional organization, a fraternity, sorority or other group that has strong alumni. I would get the job I wanted, or one close to it, THEN I would go back to school and get an MBA so that I was promotable and advanceable.

DH has the same school of thought. He could have gotten a basic pre-med LA degree but was really interested and passionate about math so he did Chemical Engineering instead.

Bottom line: get a degree in an area you love and enjoy it!

[Vishenka69]

My parents also insisted that if they were to pay for tuition, I better major in something useful. But since I was also taking out loans, I figured we both have a say in it. Hence, Economics for them and Russian Lit for me. Part of why I absolutely loved my school was because they worked with everyone who applied for financial aid individually to make sure we don't come out with huge debt. Would I have gone there even if I had to take out a loan for every dollar? Probably. To me a well rounded education is more important than a set of specific skills. Skills can be learned at the job but how many of us read Ancient Greek texts or go to museums or concerts once we start working?