College 101: High School Diploma Vs. Post-Secondary Education

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College 101 Home Define My Interests Choose a College Prepare my Application Apply to School Receive Financial Aid Get Ready for College High School Diploma vs. Post-Secondary Education Article Type: Fight Club

High School Diploma

Important Stats	A high school diploma means…you guessed it…that you graduated from high school. Exams, projects, papers – you did ‘em all and your teachers liked you enough to pass you.
Pros	You can get one for free, if you go to a public school, and be done with it by the time you are old enough to vote.
Cons	While a diploma is better than no diploma, today’s world of work is going to seem a lot more friendly if you have some more education or training under your belt. High school grads face pretty high unemployment and underemployment rates, and odds are any job you may land is going to pay significantly less than if you had higher education.

Bet on a High School Diploma If

You can’t stand the thought of more schooling, and you have a job lined up that you can get once you turn your tassel and toss your cap in the air (watch for the sharp corners as they all come back down).

Post-Secondary Education

Important Stats	Keep in mind that education after high school doesn’t always mean a Four-Year Degree (although it certainly can). There are loads of other options, such as Community College, Technical Schools, and Vocational Training. Heck, even Internships and Apprenticeships can count as education. The important point to keep in mind when determining which educational path is right for you is the cost (in terms of money and time) versus the benefits. Oh, and make sure your education will get you into the career you want.
Pros	Opportunities. That’s the key word when talking pros of post-secondary education. Just a few numbers that will go up significantly with more education include average salary, chance of being employed, and amount of benefits provided. If that’s not enough, one number that will go down is the chance you will end up in jail.
Cons	With cons, we are pretty much talking investment: time and money. Education beyond high school is going to take both, but if you crunch the numbers, it is probably worth it.

Bet on Post-Secondary Education if...You want to increase your opportunities to find (and keep) work that is meaningful and pays more.

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