1. On average, college and university graduates have larger friendship networks.
University is a unique place where you will be surrounded by thousands of people who are pursuing their goals like you, not to mention potentially renowned professors and alumni networks. The experience will help you expand your community, whether you pursue your degree close to home or have moved to a new city.
The relationships you build become a powerful professional and personal asset for life. Your classmates will become your future colleagues, business partners, industry connections, not to mention, potentially close friends.
Professors that might at first seem intimidating can, over time, become mentors and even provide crucial recommendations. Think of the people around you as you pursue your degree as a built-in community for professional resources or lifelong friendships that you can access as an alumni in most major cities you may move to.
2. Access to a Wider Pool of Career Opportunities
A bachelor’s degree is often the first requirement listed on a job posting. Your degree will act as a key that unlocks doors for you throughout your career.
Careers in fields like engineering, healthcare, finance, education, technology, and law all require a degree as an entry requirement. Even in fields that don’t explicitly require one, a degree can separate you from other applicants, not to mention elevate you for promotions into leadership or management roles down the line.
3. Fostering of Personal Growth and Resilience
The real value of a degree isn’t in memorizing facts, but in building durable life skills — adaptability, collaboration, problem-solving, and more — that remain valuable across every career and stage of life. As you seek your degree, you will better learn how to think, not what to think.
Moreover, navigating the academic and social challenges of university and living independently (if applicable), both lead to immense personal development.
You will leave university not just with a diploma, but as a more confident, independent, and well-rounded individual shaped by diverse perspectives, ideas, and cultures. Along the way, opportunities like study abroad, internships, hands-on learning, and community service will broaden your experience and prepare you for life beyond the classroom. You will also learn to advocate for yourself and manage setbacks — resilience and self-awareness that are essential for navigating future challenges, both professional and personal.
We hope we’ve convinced you that seeking a degree is worth your time for many reasons, many of which will truly change your life. If you’re ready to get started, browse our list of universities, and how to apply today!
4. Degree-holders earn 86% more than someone with just a high school diploma
This is the benefit you’ve probably heard about most: on average, a degree-holder earns significantly more over their lifetime than someone with only a high school diploma.
This added financial stability can reduce stress and open more opportunities after graduation. And it doesn’t have to come with overwhelming debt — many Washington students complete their degree with relatively low student loan burdens.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, bachelor’s degree holders had median weekly earnings of $1,493, compared to $853 for those with only a high school diploma. That difference adds up over the course of a career.
5. University grads are 24% more likely to be employed than high school grads
Maintaining employment is key to achieving the benefits of a higher earning potential. Maintaining employment not only means you’ll have income, but also potentially, benefits such as health insurance or retirement savings. You will also maintain important personal networks and routines, and continue your professional development.