Questions and Topics We Can Help You Answering; 

Prompt for Essay #3: “Is College Worth It?

Section Sixteen of They Say/I Say includes nine essays that consider the value of a college education. Given the already high and still rising costs of a four-year college education, the question has a new urgency for many high-school graduates. For your next essay, I want you to read and consider just five of the nine essays:

“Is College the Best Option” (introduction)    p. 205
“Should Everyone Go to College,” Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill    p. 208
“The New Liberal Arts,” Sanford J. Ungar    p. 226
“Are Two Many People Going to College,” Charles Murray    p. 234
“Colleges Prepare People for Life,” Freeman Harbowski    p. 259

For example, Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill Dreyfus (page 207) focus on the monetary costs and the financial return on a college student’s investment of time and money. They conducted a survey of American educators, colleges, and universities, seeking to answer the question of which colleges return the most money on investment and for which students. In his essay, “The New Liberal Arts,” Sanford Ungar examines the question of the non-monetary value offered by a college education by refuting what he sees as “misperceptions” that undermine the arguments (the “They say”) made by current critics of the liberal arts education. Likewise, Charles Murray in “Are Too Many People Going to College,” questions the widespread cultural imperative that, if at all possible, most high-school students should attend college and tests that idea against the realities of cost and student abilities. Similarly, each of the other articles, including Michelle Obama’s riveting “Bowie State Commencement Speech, addresses the value of the “college experience.”  

In a 2-page essay, make an argument that—in light of its costs—, a college education in this country has, or does not have for the student a value that outweighs its costs. Notice you will need to focus on the meanings of the two words, “value” and “costs.” Be aware that I am not looking for a correct answer to this question, only well organized essays that take a position on the question and argue that position persuasively.

Be sure to state your thesis clearly, articulate the arguments of those with whom you agree or disagree (the “they say”), and present sufficient evidence to support your claims (your “I say”). For this paper, use at least three of the above articles, plus any other sources you wish.  As you incorporate these sources into your work, be sure to use in-text citations—for any quoted or paraphrase material—and a Works Cited page for all citations. See the document on formatting these under the Writing Guidelines tab.

Also, be careful to observe the conventions of formal writing, meaning no abbreviations, no statements from the first or second person point of view, no colloquialisms, and no rhetorical questions. See “Writing Guidelines” under the “Writing Guidelines” tab.  Here are some other reminders:

•    Avoid placing evidence or argument in your opening and closing paragraphs and include a clear thesis statement at the end of your opening paragraph
•    Use topic sentences for each paragraph, avoiding pronouns, passive voice verbs or quotations in these sentences
•    Use the “quotation sandwich” model for any quotations or paraphrasing of your work
•    Write at least two revisions of your first draft, proofread and “read out loud” all of your drafts.

Note that I am postponing the due date for this essay until April 11th (disregard the due date in the current Course Schedule). The Peer Reviews will be due April 13th. I have not set a due date for your revision (TBD). 


The following short articles are very helpful in understanding this issue.

Grant Cromwell
“The Intrinsic Value of a College Education”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grant-cornwell/the-intrinsic-value-of-li_b_6163986.html

Piyush Mangukiya
“[Infographic] Is College Worth the Cost?”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/piyush-mangukiya/infographicis-college-wor_b_8692234.html

William Lowe, “Education is Worth the Effort”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-j-lowe/education-is-worth-the-in_b_5767518.html