Why someone should strive to go to the best college they can

Suze Orman’s recent article in CNBC (August 21, 2025) advising students to prioritize cost when choosing where to attend college is wrong on all accounts in my opinion. If college were merely a means to getting a good paying job, we would all be plumbers. Selecting a dream school based on the school’s willingness to pay an incoming student strikes me as a bad idea. Given that this is the one time in life when students can explore their interests and learn with others, college selection should be based on maximizing the opportunity for discovery and engagement (Our Lady of the Lake University, n.d.; University of Essex, 2024).

Attending a top tier college provides students access to rigorous academic programs, exceptional faculty, and cutting-edge facilities, which help them build stronger foundations in their chosen fields (PrepWorks, 2023; Ahead Achiever, 2023). These colleges typically offer generous scholarships and financial aid because of their larger endowments, making attendance more affordable (CareerVillage, n.d.; Reddit, 2018). Influential alumni networks and industry connections often translate into internships, job offers, and mentorships unavailable elsewhere (Academic Influence, n.d.; Crimson Global Academy, n.d.). Employers are more likely to favor candidates from top colleges (CNN, 2022). Graduates are likely to stand out in competitive markets, including admission to graduate and professional schools (University of Essex, 2024).

Students get it. They don’t want to go to a top tier school so they can brag about how much they pay per credit for a Western Civ course. They want a superior education, better career prospects, powerful networking opportunities, and enhanced access to resources (Crimson Global Academy, n.d.). Considering that much of college learning and skill development occurs outside the classroom through extracurricular activities, work experiences, internships, research, mentorship, clubs, and real-world applications, it’s not surprising students want to attend top tier schools (PrepWorks, 2023; Our Lady of the Lake University, n.d.). These experiences contribute crucially to critical thinking, communication skills, collaboration, problem-solving, and career readiness for current jobs and those that will be in demand in the future (Ahead Achiever, 2023; University of Essex, 2024).

Parents would be far better to consider college for what it is: a once in a lifetime investment in the future of their child (CareerVillage, n.d.; University of Essex, 2024).

References

CareerVillage. (n.d.). What are the advantages of going to a good college? CareerVillage.org. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://www.careervillage.org/questions/815644/what-are-the-advantages-of-going-to-a-good-college

PrepWorks. (2023, March 15). 5 benefits of studying in a top university. PrepWorks Blog. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://blog.prep.works/blog/5-benefits-of-studying-in-a-top-university/

Academic Influence. (n.d.). Why getting into a top university matters. Academic Influence. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://academicinfluence.com/resources/admissions/why-getting-into-top-university-matters

Ahead Achiever. (2023, July 11). Why studying at a prestigious university can be advantageous. Ahead Achiever. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://www.aheadachiever.com/news-and-blog/why-studying-at-a-prestigious-university-can-be-advantageous

Crimson Global Academy. (n.d.). Why high school students should aim for top universities. Crimson Global Academy. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://www.crimsonglobalacademy.school/us/blog/why-high-school-students-should-aim-for-top-universities/

Our Lady of the Lake University. (n.d.). Benefits of going to college. OLLU Blog. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://www.ollusa.edu/blog/benefits-of-going-to-college.html

Reddit. (2018, March 16). What are the benefits of a prestigious college? Reddit. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/828rr0/what_are_the_benefits_of_a_prestigious_college/

CNN. (2022, September 20). America’s obsession with college rankings: Are they doing more harm than good? CNN. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/20/us/college-rankings-obsession-us-news-cec

University of Essex. (2024, May 22). Top 10 benefits of a university education every parent or guardian should know. University of Essex Blog. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2024/05/22/top-10-benefits-of-a-university-education-every-parent-or-guardian-should-know