Is Higher Education for You?

Increasing your skills through higher education is more than just a trendy thing to do — it's a way to boost earning power and employability throughout your career.

There are a variety of levels of higher education, it's important to find out what fits for you.

Are you ready for college?

Take the Are Your Ready For College? quiz to find out what you really know about going to college.

Not sure you really need college?

Try this Reality Check tool to find out how much money you'll need to pay for the lifestyle you want. See which careers will let you earn that much, and see if they require higher education.

Ready to get ready?

Meet the Get Tough characters. Step up to the challenge by taking on the tough classes now. Discover how Foreign Languages, Algebra II and Biology prepare you for college.

• Videos: Be sure to select the video when reviewing each of these subjects.
• Challenge your friends: The Share feature lets you put your friends to the test.

Still in middle school?

It's not too early to plan for college. I Make It Happen is a website that was developed to keep the dream of college alive in young people and empower them with information they need to make their dreams a reality. And for middle schoolers through high school seniors, KnowHow2Go has answers about college, including: Steps to get ready, find help, explore your interests, and more.

Higher education pays off.

As you weigh the pros and cons of going to college, here's some compelling information on how education pays: college can help you earn more money over your lifetime, and also be less likely to become unemployed.

More education pays off in higher earnings.

A survey from 2008 shows that average earnings grow from $426 to $591 per week, just by earning a high school diploma. Getting a college Bachelor's degree increases average earnings to $978 per week.

Education pays

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Jobs that require higher education typically offer higher wages than those that don't. There are exceptions, but spending money on education now means that you'll make more in the future. On average, wages increase with every additional degree earned.

In Minnesota, high school graduates are entering college in growing numbers. According to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, about 64 percent of Minnesota high school graduates attended college the following fall.

Other benefits

In the working world, some rewards to having an advanced degree are often overlooked. These include being qualified for jobs with better benefits, better working conditions, or a lower chance of being eliminated.

You also gain skills in higher education that employers look for — like critical thinking, teamwork, time management, research, problem–solving, writing, and computer skills.

Still uncertain? Pursuing higher education requires a lot from you. You'll need time and dedication. And post–secondary schooling is not free. One way to reduce the cost is to attend a community college or short–term training program.

But don't rule out a school simply because of cost. Few students or families are expected to pay the full multi–year tuition on their own. Financial aid is available help you cover the costs of the school you want to attend.

Although you might spend a significant amount of money, education is an investment in your future. Go to Get Ready for College for more resources on college, financial aid, student loans and more.

Have you dropped out of high school?

College is still an option for you.

If you don't have a high school diploma and aren't currently enrolled in high school classes, you might be eligible to take the GED. The Tests of General Educational Development is a group of five different tests measuring the skills and knowledge you'd typically learn in high school. Many employers and schools consider a GED to be equivalent to a high school diploma. Learn more about Adult Basic Education and GED.

What are the types of education you can get?

View the various education and training categories defined in the table below. Explore the links for more information.

Education or training	Definition	Looking for more
Apprenticeship	An employer's formal training program combining on–the–job learning with technical instruction for a specific trade.	Registered Apprenticeship Web site
Certifications	An examination or a record of work–related credentials. Issued to an individual by an external organization to communicate a certain level of skill attainment. Required in some occupations, for example nursing assistants and financial advisors.	Certification Finder
Community College	Institution typically offering two-year or associate of arts degree that can transfer to a four-year college or university.	Community College Finder
Technical College	One to two–year training programs in a variety of subject areas. Short–term training also available.	Find technical colleges in the Community College Finder
4–year College or University	Earn a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in your chosen field of study.	Find 4–year colleges in the Education and Training Finder
Customized Training	Topic–specific, short–term training designed for a specific employer.	Find customized training links in the Career Resource Library
Internships	Opportunity for hands–on, real work experience. May be required in some college majors, or may be an entry–level internship you apply for after graduating college.	Find internship links in the Career Resource Library
Job Corps	A free, Department of Labor program designed for individuals ages 16-24 to obtain training and job skills.	Job Corps Web site
Job Shadowing	A short–term visit to a worksite. Choose a career of interest and set up a time to follow someone on the job throughout his or her workday.	Find job shadowing links in the Career Resource Library
Professional Development	Training to enhance your job skills.	Find professional development links in the Career Resource Library
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)	Training Federal program that provides short-term training and education at technical colleges, community colleges, and universities.	Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Eligible Training Provider