College in America Blog

The term “white collar” originated in the early 20th century, derived from the dress shirts that were standard business attire for male office workers. The term was popularized by American writer Upton Sinclair in the 1930s when describing clerical, administrative, and managerial workers. The contrasting “blue collar” was already in use by then, based on […]

President Obama was right when he said, “every American will need to get more than a high school diploma.” However, policy makers, Republicans and Democrats alike, are clueless when it comes to college. College is a Competition There are only so many well-paying, professional jobs available for college graduates each year. According to a recent […]

I have addressed this subject multiple times over the last eleven years. You can forget last year’s version. In the immortal word of Bob Dylan, “The times they are a-changing.” For decades, college graduates enjoyed higher earnings and greater wealth than individuals who did not graduate from college. This circumstance came to be known as […]

The federal student loan system is a trap for the unwary. Almost any high school graduate can find a college or university that will accept them because most schools are not all that selective. Once accepted, your “generous” government will loan you tens of thousands of dollars without any regard to your academic prowess or […]

More than one third of undergraduate students are 1st Gen. The most common definition of a first-generation student versus a continuing generation student is that neither one of a 1st Gen’s parents graduated college. Graduation Rate The average graduation rate for high school students who matriculate is 62%. The graduation rate for 1st Gen students […]

Students and their parents view college as a “golden ticket” to a comfortable financial future. They don’t understand that college is a competition.  For decades, college graduates enjoyed higher earnings and greater wealth than individuals who did not graduate from college. This circumstance came to be known as the “college premiums.”  The college income premium is the […]

A quarter century ago in his book, Another Way to Win, Dr. Kenneth Gray coined the term “one way to win.” He described the OWTW strategy widely followed in the US as:  Graduate from high school.  Matriculate at a four-year college.  Graduate with a degree in “anything.”  Become employed in a professional job.”   Dr. Gray’s message […]

College has long been considered a necessary step toward success—but that belief is starting to shift. With rising tuition costs, student loan debt at record highs, and a job market that increasingly values skills over degrees, many people are questioning whether a traditional college education is always worth the money.  The shocking truth is, for […]

College is a complex, multi-year, six figure project. I have three pieces of advice to get you started.  Don’t delegate the management of this project to your teenager. She doesn’t have the skills or the life experience to handle a project of this scope. In particular, don’t delegate the choice of school to your teenager […]

Decades ago, it was much more common for high school graduates to explore options other than college, including the military, community college, vocational schools, or entering the workforce directly.  Now, in some sectors of society, it seems that anything other than attending a four-year university is rarely considered. As a society we have “crossed a bridge.” […]