TCNJ

19 FALL 2024 BERNSTEIN: It's perfectly understandable when something is more and more expensive for people to question its value. And indeed, the whole idea of publicly funded higher education was that the public would never be put in the position of having to question the relative value of the experience. All that being said, there are nevertheless an array of misconceptions today regarding the intrinsic value of a higher education degree. "A bachelor's degree is probably the single most powerful tool we have in this country to leverage socioeconomic mobility." Has that value actually declined? Absolutely not. That's worth repeating: The value of a college degree has NOT declined. All of the data are completely clear on this: The more degrees you earn, the higher your lifetime earnings. Viewed in this way, it is not surprising to note that a bachelor's degree is probably the single most powerful tool we have in this country to leverage socioeconomic mobility. Bar none. I might add — with higher incomes, the data also indicate communities tend to have improved health, longevity, resilience, and solidarity. And, needless to say, communities that are better off also generate higher tax revenues for state and local governments, public services, and K–12 schools. Overall, the higher the proportion of a population holding advanced degrees, the better off that community is. For all these reasons, it's vitally important we speak honestly and clearly about what's distinctive about a TCNJ education. If a student wants to get a certificate or credential in a special skill, there are training courses, many of them online, for that. That's great. That's training for a job. And indeed, that is something TCNJ can and should do in certain fields. At the same time, when it comes to our full-time undergraduate programs, we are offering an exceptional experience that provides expertise (in a particular major) along with something else — the preparation for impact and leadership. Training for leadership is different from training for a job — it involves the cultivation of an array of skills for things like interpersonal and organizational communica- tion, effective team-building and stewardship, along with outstanding instincts for discernment, analysis, and judgment. This is not better than skills-based training for credentials and licenses. It is different. Leadership is not about a position (although it may often be represented as such); it is about an attitude and an approach to one's career. It involves making a difference and showing the way. Of course, here at TCNJ, we want all our students to do well when they graduate. But most of all, we want them to do good — to be, in whatever path they pursue, exemplars and inspirations to others. 28 23 17 33 34 40 9 15 22 29 25 19 % % % 2015 2018 GREAT DEAL 2023 QUITE A LOT SOME VERY LITTLE Degree of confidence in the value of college education 4. DECLINING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION More and more people are starting to question the importance of a college degree. With low unemployment, the availability of free online courses that might teach you what you need to know on a job, and the rising costs of the traditional college experience, a greater percentage of young adults is choosing to enter the work world directly from high school. Source: Gallup Degree of confidence in the value of a college education

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