Is College Worth It? Decision Dashboard

Financial Analysis Framework

Before committing, treat college like a business investment. Use this calculator to understand the "Total Cost of Ownership" versus your expected return. Rule of Thumb: Don't borrow more than your expected first-year salary.

Total Student Loan Amount ($)

Interest Rate (%)

Loan Term (Years)

Expected 1st Year Salary ($)

Research this on BLS.gov or Glassdoor.

Monthly Payment $0

Total Interest Cost $0

Total Repayment $0

Non-Degree Pathways

College is not the only route to a stable career. Explore these viable alternatives that often carry less debt and faster entry into the workforce.

Trade Schools

Focus: Specific skills (HVAC, Plumbing, Welding)
Cost: $5k - $15k total
Time: 6 months - 2 years
Outlook: High demand, often union-protected

Tip: Look for accredited programs that lead to licensure.

Apprenticeships

Focus: Paid on-the-job training
Cost: Negative (You get paid to learn)
Time: 3 - 5 years
Outlook: Guaranteed experience & often a guaranteed job

Resource: Search Apprenticeship.gov for openings.

Bootcamps & Certs

Focus: Tech, Data, Design (Coding, UX)
Cost: $8k - $20k
Time: 3 - 6 months (Intensive)
Risk: Variable quality. Verify job placement audits.

Check: Google Career Certificates or accredited bootcamps.

Portfolio Path

Focus: Creative fields (Video, Graphic Design)
Cost: Low (Software + Equipment)
Time: Self-paced
Key: Employers care about *what you can do*.

Strategy: Build a website showcasing real projects. Network heavily.

Academic & Personal Fit

College is an academic environment requiring high self-regulation. Assessing your personal compatibility is just as important as the financial math.

The "Student" Checklist

I am comfortable with unstructured time and can manage deadlines without a boss watching me. I am willing to spend 2 years on General Education (History, Math, English) before my major. I prefer reading/writing/theory over hands-on building/fixing. I am NOT burnt out from high school (if yes, consider a Gap Year).

External & Psychological Factors

I have a specific career goal, not just "figuring it out." I am making this choice for myself, not due to pressure from parents or friends. I have a plan for housing, transportation, and basic living costs.

Check the boxes that apply to you.

Readiness Score: 0/7

☆ Please review the checklist. ☆

The Decision Matrix

Quantify your decision. Rate each option on a scale of 1 (Bad) to 5 (Good) for each category. The tool will sum your scores to reveal the most logical path based on your values.

Metric	University	Community Coll.	Trade School	Workforce
TOTAL SCORE	0	0	0	0

* Rate 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent). E.g., University Cost = 1, Workforce Cost = 5.

Score Comparison

College Decision Guide

Financial Analysis Framework

Market Reality & Regret Rates

1. Verify Growth

2. Degree Inflation

3. ROI Check

Percentage of Graduates Who Regret Their Major