評論
打印
For a long time, the American workforce has been becoming increasingly specialized, which means that an increasing amount of education and preparation is required for many careers. A high school diploma was once a guarantee of a person's ability to handle most job skills, but this is no longer the case. In many instances, a person with only a high school diploma faces difficulties finding well-paying positions with job security. A few years of college, and preferably a degree, are now almost necessary qualifications.
長時間以來，美國勞動力日趨專業化，這就意味著大量崗位越來越需要有教育背景的職工。高中學歷曾一度是個人工作能力的保證書，但現在卻不再起效。很多例子說明，一個高中文化的人在找高薪，有保障的工作時會困難重重。幾年的大學教育和高程度的學歷已成為目前必要的就業資格。
The Facts
事實
As the cost of a college education goes up, many begin to question whether the expense is worth the reward. Simply examining the financial differential between those with a college degree and those without one reveals that the more educated a person is, the more, on average, he will earn in his lifetime. It is estimated that people with a college degree earn almost twice as much as those with only a high school diploma; even those with only a few years of college or an associate's degree earn close to a quarter more. Though the burden of tuition and loans can seem heavy, the cost of remaining uneducated is obvious.
隨著大學教育成本增加，很多人開始質疑其花費是否能得到相應的回報。簡單地衡量一下有大學學歷和沒有該學歷的人群間的經濟差異，就能得知一個人受教育程度越高，他一生中平均掙的錢就越多。經評估，擁有大學學歷的人群所掙收入幾乎是僅持高中文憑的人群的兩倍；甚至那些僅上過短暫大學的人或者準學士也會多掙將近四分之一。雖然學費和貸款負擔看似沉重，但不受教育的代價甚是明顯。
Significance
意義
Obtaining a college degree makes more than just a financial difference for the individual; rather, it can make the difference for an entire family. Those with more education are generally qualified for jobs with better benefits, including health, life, and retirement. Their jobs are, in general, more secure. Parents who make more money are also better able to provide for their children's education, increasing the likelihood that they will go to college and get good jobs. Getting a college education is one of the best ways to escape the cycle of poverty, for both yourself and your descendants.
獲取大學學歷不僅能改善個人經濟狀況；更多的是，它能對整個家庭做出貢獻。那些受過更高教育的人通常能勝任更高福利的工作，包括健康、生活以及退休都會得到更好的照顧。通常來講，他們的工作更有保障。收入更高的父母更有能力給孩子提供教育，增加孩子上大學并覓得好工作的可能性。無論對你還是你的后代，獲取大學學歷都是脫離貧困圈最好的方法之一。
