College: The Biggest Scam In American History

WE'VE ALL BEEN SCAMMED! Everyone, check your wallets! Check your bank accounts! What happened to all our money!? Looks like we just got taken for a ride. So what happened? Oh, you went to college? Chances are you, or your parents owe a substantial amount of money.

Just some statistics for you:
In the first quarter of 2012, it is reported that 20 million people go to college a year. Of those 20 million, 12 million (60%) borrow money to go to school. Currently, the average amount of money owed per borrower is roughly $24,000. The average starting salary for a college graduate is ~$42,000 a year. This is if they are lucky enough to find a job in their career field. A high school diploma will earn you roughly $33,000 a year. High school dropouts average just $21,000 a year.

We've all been told we need to go to college our entire lives. What if right now going to college isn't your best option? The economy is horrible, and digging yourself into a hole of debt at the beginning stages of your life may not be the best route. Tuition costs have steadily risen over the last 20 years. Why? Because college know they can charge it! So why do kids go to college?

Here's a few reasons:

1. They want to get away from home and party
2. They've been promised that if they work hard that they'll get a good job
3. It's a good way to put off getting a full time job
4. They're friends are going
5. They've been preparing for it their whole lives

Trust me, a good job can be promised to no one these days. So really here is the cycle in which we enter when we go to college.
 

Go to College ====> Get into Debt ====>  Look for Job ====> Pay off Debt
 

Now you are stuck. Whether you like the job you find or not, you now NEED it. In order to pay off those loans you NEED the job. The system has you. They have produced a worker.

There are other options outside of college. People tend to look down on them and I used to be one of them. I think that if someone didn't go to college, we assume they just aren't smart enough. I don't find this to be the case now. There are a couple of things you can do instead of college that may be better off for you in the long run.

• Trade School

 It's shorter schooling and usually involves a lot of OJT. They will even place you in a job if you are qualified. Gets you into a career faster and earning some decent money. Demand is always high for jobs like electricians and plumbers.

• Join the Military

Isn't that for poor and stupid people? Not anymore it's not. The military is becoming a better and better option as the economy declines. Not only is it a paying job, but it also gives you job experience and the benefits are great. The GI Bill will even pay for your college after just three years of service. 

• Move Abroad

Not only will this broaden your horizons, but you will find that it is cheaper to live in other, developed countries. There are a lot of things to consider, but teaching English is always an option to make money in other countries. 



Don't fall into the trap that has been set for you. If you can't get scholarships to pay for your schooling, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

It's hard to win a game that's rigged. Hard to earn in a market that is cornered.