For many young people, life becomes more complicated after high school, as they face a barrage of difficult and highly consequential questions. 

What about work? How do I prepare for marriage and find a spouse? Should I go to college? Where should I go to college?

My Dad has observed that young people tend to make some of the most important and foundational life decisions in the years from 18 to 25. Yet at this age, we still haven’t gained the wisdom that comes from evaluated experience over longer periods of time. 

At age 18, the college question perplexed me. As I evaluated my God-given passions and talents, I wondered, “Should I get a college degree?” Eventually, I decided yes and obtained an online four-year degree in just over 16 months. 

Why I Got a Degree

I’ve always been fascinated by politics. My brothers and I held mock political debates, I read Presidential biographies, and we campaigned in the 2016 Presidential election. More than a fascination, I felt the need for righteousness to prevail in the public square, and wondered if God might use me in that sphere.

These interests and passions led me to ask, “Is a college degree beneficial for future political involvement?” After discussing that question with my Dad, he pointed me to a friend who had previously served as a state representative. That friend told me that a degree can be helpful, although it’s not always necessary. 

After much prayer, counsel, and evaluation, I moved ahead.

Rather than put life on hold for four years, I chose the online option, which enabled me to continue with the family farm and traveling singing ministry. I began with a smattering of CLEP and DSST tests, and then enrolled in Thomas Edison State University. At the end, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. I picked that specific degree because I figured that communication was a valuable skill even if I never used it for politics.

An Important Question

College consumes much time and treasure that can never be regained. Therefore, the Christian who desires wisely steward God-given time, talents, and treasure cannot afford to make this decision flippantly.

Today, from my perspective, and from the perspective of friends who’ve grappled with this same decision, I’ll try my best to tackle this complex question.

In this post, you won’t find a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, you’ll discover six critical questions designed to help you think Biblically about life and college.

1. Are You Fully Surrendered to God’s Will and Purpose for Your Life?

A friend of mine observed, “Jesus’ teachings on those who are truly “successful” look vastly different than the so called ‘American Dream.’ A degree from a prestigious school, a lucrative career, a fancy house and car, and a boat for the weekends are not the measures of true success. While a Christian may obtain a degree, the chief motivation behind his or her studies should be to glorify God.”

God defines success by obedience, not status symbols and arbitrary benchmarks. According to Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

The difference between the Christian and the worldly perspective regarding college is the difference between the temporary and the eternal. James says that “Life is a vapor.” God requires you to steward that tiny vapor for His glory.

As you consider a degree, is God’s purpose or worldly success foremost on your mind?

2. Why Do You Need A Degree?

Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

In order to walk wisely and redeem the time, we must first seek God’s will. For the Christian, every decision must be compared with scripture, especially a decision like college.

Knowing why you want a degree will help you make a better decision. In my opinion, following are some poor reasons and valid reasons for getting a degree. 

Poor Reasons:

• Do you want to go to college because you have no idea what’s next and you think a degree will give you clarity? College is a an expensive way to find the answer to that question. According to a study from Ameritrade, “Around half of young Americans say that their degree was not important in getting their current job.”
• Are you pursuing a degree to kill time? Could you explore other less-expensive options that would give you more clarity? 
• Are you going because because you feel obligated or pressured to, and most people tell you it’s necessary for success?
• Do you want to go to college to just “get away from home?”
• Are you going to find a spouse?
• Do you want to go to college to just “get” a degree?

Better Reasons:

• Do you want to go to college to learn skills or knowledge that will help you later in life?
• Do you need college because you’ll need that degree for your work in the future? Some fields, including law and medicine require degrees.

Daniel told me, “My reasons for college mostly boil down to (1) entering a field that can’t be entered without a degree, or (2) getting a degree as a means of pursuing excellence in your field.”

What are the primary reasons why you are or are not considering college?

3. How Well Will a Degree Prepare You For Real Life and Work?

After carefully weighing the decision, Joe realized that he didn’t need a degree to fulfill his God-given passions and talents. Here was his conclusion:

“In this day and age, with the advent of the internet and social media, the opportunities for self employment, starting a business, marketing a product, creating a brand, or learning skills are no longer held by collegiate gatekeepers. While having a degree is still helpful and, in many cases, necessary, for many career paths, that doesn’t make it a requirement for being successful.“

One of our family’s friends obtained her paralegal degree and now works part-time from home. While her long-term desire is still to be a wife and mother, she’s using her knowledge and training to save money, stay connected with her family, and utilize her God-given talents.

Experimentation

Do you need the degree for work or could you gain the same knowledge through internships, experimentation, books, mentors, or the plethora of free or inexpensive online resources available today? In the long run, do you see yourself running your own business, working with your family, or pursuing a different field?

Can you find someone who’s successful at what you’d like to do and work for them? Doing that might show you if you enjoy that field and if you still need a degree to succeed in it.

4. Is the Degree Worth the Time and Money You’re Investing to Obtain it?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just over a third of modern Americans hold college four-year degrees. By contrast, in 1940, 3.8 percent of women held college degrees, and 5.5 percent of men.

In an article entitled, “Not What It Used to Be,” with the sub-title, “American universities represent declining value for money to their students,” The Economist observes, “Nonetheless, there is growing anxiety in America about higher education. A degree has always been considered the key to a good job. But rising fees and increasing student debt, combined with shrinking financial and educational returns, are undermining at least the perception that university is a good investment.”

Statistics

Consider a few statistics. On average, a four-year bachelor’s degree costs $34,740 per year from a private university, $25,620 for an out-of-state public university, and $9,970 for an in-state university. Additionally, tuition fees rise 2.4% yearly at private colleges and 3.2% yearly at public colleges. According to the University of the Potomac, the average online degree costs $30,000 total to complete, although one can obtain an online much cheaper through colleges that accept CLEP and DSST tests.

Student Loan Hero notes that 45 million Americans are mired in student loan debt, to the tune of $1.56 trillion. “That’s about $521 billion more than the total U.S. credit card debt.”

However, just because a traditional degree is expensive doesn’t mean one should never be pursue it. Part-time work, scholarships, online study, credit-by-examination, and community colleges can help students finish without debt.

Cost and Value

There’s something economists call opportunity cost. It’s called “the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.” What else could you do with all the time and money you’ll spend in college?

In the words of a dad, “College is a business transaction. Is the value worth the cost? Don’t just assume it is.” 

Is the trade-off worth it? Are you getting more out of this degree than you’re putting in?

5. How Will Your Studies Affect Your Walk With the Lord? 

The great preacher Peter Marshall noted, “The human brain is but a tool which the human soul shall use.” If we’re not careful, we can act as if brilliance and academic excellence matter more than the fear of God.

In reality, college is not a playground; it’s a battleground of ideas, and those who enter that battle unprepared are likely to be swept away by the onslaught. Even Christian Universities can pose dangers, as many have been captured by the social gospel and cultural Marxism. 

A Student’s Perspective

When Thomas began law school, He did so firmly grounded in God, the Bible, and accountability. He observed,

“For any Christian that is considering college, it is absolutely essential to have a strong community to plug into while in school, especially if that college is away from home. For many Christians, college is the first place they are immersed in a totally unfiltered cultural environment, and they will feel very out of place and lonely. It is important for these students to have a place where they can go, let down their guard, and be refreshed with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Personally, this was the small church that I attended… The bottom line is that it is important for Christians to have a community that they spend time with regularly where they are welcomed, encouraged, and strengthened to face the coming week.”

How Strong Is Your Faith?

While it is true that many students lose their faith in college, one can only wonder how strong their faith was before college. Were they firmly rooted in God’s Word? Did they have a strong Christian community surrounding them? How well had their parents prepared them for life? Did they serve God out of personal conviction or because that’s what their church and family did? 

Aside from the cost and time, the poisonous atmosphere is one of the reasons why I personally recommend online if possible (although some degrees require being on campus), as this allows one to study within family and existing support networks.

Whether online or on campus, God must still be first in your life. Are you grounded in Christ and real relationships? Will higher education make you proud or humble? 

6. Have You Prayed, Evaluated, and Asked Counsel?

Proverbs 20:18 says, “Every purpose is established by counsel.” James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, which giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.”

When I decided to pursue a degree, I didn’t receive a lightning bolt confirmation from heaven. But after praying, evaluating in light of God’s Word, weighing the pros and cons, and discussing with my parents and other wiser people, I felt the peace to move ahead.

God gave you His Word, your mind, parents and mentors, and the Holy Spirit for a purpose. Use these God-given decision-making assets wisely.

How does a degree fit into your primary duty as a Christian? By pursuing a degree, can you still fulfill the responsibilities He’s given you?

Are you walking in obedience to the Lord? Are you faithful with what God has given you right now?

The world asks, “What do I want to do with my life?” The Christian asks, “What does God want me to do with my life?”

Be A Lifelong Learner

Some will pursue college, while others will not. However, we all should aspire to become lifelong learners. With the rapidly changing information economy, character and the ability to learn and adapt often matter more than a diplomas or book knowledge.

Soberingly, all learning carries a potent danger. If not tempered with humility and the fear of the Lord, knowledge will, in the end, prove destructive. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

The decision to pursue or not pursue a degree can be difficult. I know. Thankfully, God has given us the wisdom of His Word and the Holy Spirit to direct us as we surrender to Him. As with all life decisions, this one ultimately boils down to one basic question: “What glorifies God the most?” May He grant you the grace and wisdom to answer and apply that question in every area of your life.

Question: What are the pros and cons of pursuing a degree? How can we look at it from God’s perspective?