What's so great about higher ed?

Graphic courtesy of Rasmussen College http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/12-motivational-education-quotes-to-inspire-you/

Most of you have heard or read about the personal financial benefits of higher education, defined here as education beyond high school leading to a certificate or degree. Many experts say that someone with a degree will earn 84% more than someone without one over a lifetime. That can translate to $2.8 million over a lifetime!

There are also huge benefits to society for those who have pursued postsecondary education. During their lifetime they pay more taxes, enjoy better health, are less likely to be involved in criminal activity, less likely to be unemployed, and are more likely to volunteer in their communities and to vote. In other words, they are less likely to use tax dollars and more likely to generate them.

But the US is lagging other countries in degree attainment coming in at number 11 for global postsecondary attainment. In South Korea, 64% of young adults completed education beyond high school, compared to just over 40% of young adults in the US.  This sounds pretty bleak when you consider that two-thirds of all jobs generated in the next decade will require some sort of postsecondary education.

If the US can’t provide the skilled workers necessary to meet the demands of a growing economy, corporations will be forced to outsource jobs to other countries with workers who do have the qualifications. This causes our entire economy to suffer. In our own small way, Bootstraps is trying to make sure this doesn't happen.

Although we can’t help everyone, we can help someone, someone in our own community, to reach their educational dreams and "develop [their] greatest abilities ... for the greater strength of our nation." If you’d like to help, click here to learn more.