High school students, does college feel like a big decision? Of course it does! There’s so much to consider, from what type of institution to attend, to where, and at what pace.
The good news is that you’re far from alone. In their annual report, Common App reported an increase in first-year applicants by 5%, up to nearly 1.5 million total during the 2024-2025 academic year. A further exciting improvement is in first-generation applicants, up 14% year over year.
The ACT Center for Impact and Learning hopes to drive even more college applicants this year through their annual American College Application Campaign, asking students and graduates alike to show their support by wearing their college gear and sharing why they believe students should apply to college and/or why they applied to college. People can easily join the campaign by using #WhyApply in their posts today, on September 19.
ELFI is here to show support for college applicants by sharing our top reasons why college can “pay off” for high school students, in case you may still be on the fence about whether this pathway is right for you!
5 Reasons Why Applying to College Can Pay Off
1. Explore career pathways
Whether you have a field or job specifically in mind as you shop for colleges or you’re interested in several different possibilities, a bachelor’s degree offers innumerable opportunities to learn about things you might not have considered. Between general credits and electives you may be required to take, you’ll get an introduction to diverse STEM and arts courses which at best may expand your interests – and at worst, they’ll help you narrow down potential career choices!
2. Develop skills and experience
One of the ways that a college degree can prepare you to enter the workforce is by providing chances to try out and deepen skills that you may need to be successful. These skills can vary depending on your chosen major, but many programs provide experience and perhaps even hands-on training as part of your required coursework. From there, you can explore on-campus and hybrid learning environments that simulate real professional situations you may encounter, giving you a safe place to try out your talents and learn how to improve.
3. Gain access to advanced learning resources
By association with a college or university, students often get a leg up on special programs and resources that are hard to come by otherwise. As you learn from top thinkers and leaders in your chosen industry, you may be able to get exposure to specialized equipment or lab environments that can be invaluable in preparing you for future job prospects. And when we’re talking about experiences unique to college, we can’t skip domestic or study abroad programs, through which you can travel to one or more destinations to further your studies!
4. Build your personal and professional community
Let’s be honest—college is also where you’ll meet an array of interesting people, likely coming from a totally different city, region, or even country from you. Through the excitement and challenges of college, you’ll likely form bonds that will last a lifetime. So, think of this time as a chance to build a network, both personally and professionally. The people you meet may end up being a reference for you while job hunting, or offer you insight into a different industry as you go down parallel career paths, or even be in the party of your future wedding!
5. Improve economic mobility
In addition to all the fun and interesting experiences college can offer, one of the top reasons for pursuing a degree remains the opportunity for a professional career with a higher earning potential. Just in case you’re doubtful about how “earning potential” translates into dollar signs, the Social Security Administration estimates that bachelor’s holders earn roughly $630,000 to $900,000 more than high school graduates in median lifetime earnings. That’s a substantial difference, especially as you consider big financial goals you may have (now and in years to come).
Apply to Colleges—If Not Today, Soon!
Feeling inspired? Us too!
Whenever you decide to finalize your college applications, we hope that you’ll feel confident in your choice to invest in yourself by preparing for your career, developing a robust skillset, building a broad community of peers, taking advantage of special resources, and improving your earning ability.
ELFI is here to help manage the college of costs when the time is right. Explore private student loan options for undergraduates, graduates, and parents and lean on our team of experienced student loan advisors to help answer your questions when taking your next step!
