College is a huge step most of you will choose to take. It’s no secret that everything that is implied with the word ‘college’ can send a rush of stress down your spine. The cost of this basically mandatory

education has increased 1,120% over the past thirty years, according to Bloomberg Business, a business that delivers market news, data and financial analysis. Tuition costs has increased by 15% since 2008, and these increasing numbers seem to equal a goal only the top 1% may end up achieving; the American Dream.

Many Americans are beginning to question if adding to the $1 trillion of nation wide student debt is worth the nine to five desk job. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the Associated Press in June that lowering college costs needs to be priority for the whole country. “As a nation, we need more college graduates in order to stay competitive in the global economy,” Duncan said, but that may not be achievable due to the steadily increase of national debt and student loans.

So all of these numbers beg the question, is being thousands of dollars in debt worth the chance at getting an average paying job?

Speaking from a high school student’s perspective, I don’t believe four to five years of digging a hole in my family pocket for a piece of paper that has failed thousands of Americans in the search for a substantial job, is worth the ever-growing debt, and many high schoolers would agree. “I feel like it’ll be hard to pay it off, but once you get a job you can start paying it off…but you’ll spend most of your life paying it off.” says Highland High school student, Cristina Ebner.

I asked another Highland student, Amarah Otto, if the debt that would follow your acceptance of your college diploma would be worth the lack of crucial funds. “It depends on the profession you’re going for. Like if you’re going to be a doctor you can pay it off, but if you’re a teacher you might have have a harder time paying it off.”

Otto also added that “you don’t need to go to an expensive school to get a good education or to get a good job” which is what might’ve been the thought process of a recent Highland graduate. He opted out of attending a four year university in exchange for a debt free education at a community college. He tweeted that he had just paid for his college and the lack of debt feels great.

So ask yourself, is over-paying for a chance at a successful future worth it?