The enormous cost of college has left high school students debating whether to continue pursuing a higher education. Many of these high school students have decided that the price of accumulating debt is not worth the investment and end up choosing a full-time job without a college degree. However, it is important to invest in knowledge because it builds and lays the foundations for the future. To fully understand how important it is to invest in higher education, you need to be aware of each individual's value and rates of return. College for an incoming freshman is exciting, however, it is often focused on the social aspect such as the connections that can be made through Greek life, parties, and independence. Because of the social interactions, freshmen tend to drop out of college after their freshman year. Focusing on the purpose for which the university is intended can prevent these situations. The pressures of college, such as impressing parents and maintaining a high standard GPA, can lead to stress and prevent a student from achieving adequate academic performance. During the mid-1900s, college was considered more of a luxury than anything else; people would attend college solely to gain knowledge in hopes of obtaining a career after graduation. People in the twenty-first century, however, attend college to get away from home and enjoy freedom at parties. Education is taken lightly, and those who believe that education is not the primary goal of college should not apply for the greater good. When someone mentions the term college, immediately thoughts are directed specifically to education and academics. How scandalous would it be if college focused on socializing, partying, and freedom? This would defeat the purpose of… middle of paper… people who decide to attend college and endure the pressure of late nights are the ones who are able to distinguish the importance of education and its benefits. Regardless of the number of students who wish to attend college, a large percentage of enrolled freshmen drop out. The world without knowledge is in complete disorder; we don't realize how empty and ignorant we are without knowledge. The ignorance within us, however, can be filled with education and bring about definitive changes that can impact an individual, a community, a generation, and ultimately our world. Of course the world, in the long run, depends on educated people. Success comes in the pursuit of acquiring skills and valuing the virtues of education and academics. Education, by far, is the most important aspect of college and is worth the investment.