Is going to college a complete waste of time and money?

Dec 23, 2017

There’s no definite ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer to this.

Yes, we have heard stories of successful leaders and entrepreneurs who were/are at the very top in their field. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell, Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Oprah Winfrey are possibly the most popular names who either never went to the college or dropped their formal education. But there are also many names that did attend college and changed the world.

Sadly, some people romanticize with the idea of “college dropout” too much these days that they completely overlook the large population of the mentioned latter group. But there are also few of those who synonym ‘formal education’ with higher knowledge and intelligence; they over-prioritize the idea of going to college just to blend in the conventional crowd; they seek qualifications more than the real knowledge.

A research found that 94 percent of top selected U.S. leaders attended college.

We also need to consider the role that internet is playing today in our lives. Free courses are available in abundance for people who really want to learn.

So, to answer this question, if going to college is a waste of time and money, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON INDIVIDUAL CASES. If you want to be a doctor, yes it is very much important. But if you want to make hospitals and take other such initiatives, it is not “mandatory” as some people may have had you believe.

If you’re just looking to make money (with the right and reputed means), college education is not essential. But if you’re looking to bag jobs in the likes of Google and Microsoft, you have to be a college graduate. (Google, btw, do hire people who have not gone to the college; hinting that the top employers are shifting their focus from obsessively-prioritizing formal education and GPAs to real intelligence, dedication, passion and emotional intelligence. )

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Was My Master's Degree A Waste Of Time and Money? | by Ellen Quirke | The Post-Grad Survival Guide | Medium

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digitalacharya hello

Apr 7, 2020

For some individuals, school can be an exercise in futility and cash. An excessive number of individuals are attending a university since they accept an extraordinary American fantasy: school is for everybody and bliss and riches rely upon a professional education.

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Michael Jons

May 8, 2026

The idea that going to college is a “complete waste of time and money” is something many people debate today, especially with rising education costs and the success stories of people who became successful without a degree. However, the reality is more balanced and depends on a person’s goals, skills, and career path.

For many people, college is not a waste at all. It provides structured learning, professional knowledge, and access to careers that are difficult to enter without formal education. Fields like medicine, engineering, law, and science require proper degrees and training. In these cases, college is not optional—it is essential for building a safe and qualified career.

College also helps in personal development. Students learn communication skills, teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving. They also get exposure to different ideas, cultures, and experiences that help shape their personality. This kind of environment is difficult to fully replicate outside an academic setting.

Another major benefit is networking. In college, students meet peers, professors, and industry professionals who can help in future career opportunities. These connections often play an important role in getting internships, jobs, and guidance.

However, it is also true that college is not the only path to success. In today’s digital world, many people have built successful careers through skills, entrepreneurship, or online learning. Fields like technology, content creation, freelancing, and startups have shown that practical skills can sometimes matter more than formal degrees. That is why some people feel college is not worth the cost if it does not align with their goals.

But even in such cases, saying college is a “waste” is too extreme. The value of college depends on how a person uses it. For some, it is a launchpad for a stable career; for others, it is a backup while exploring other opportunities.

In conclusion, college is not a complete waste of time and money. It is a powerful tool for education, growth, and career building, but it is not the only path to success. The real key is choosing the right direction based on your interests and making the most of whatever path you take.

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Jessy Chandra

Is going to college a complete waste of time and money?