Ask students why they are in college, and the answer usually falls into two categories: to get a job or to learn.

According to U.S. News and World Report, for the 2024-2025 school year, average tuition rose 2% for both in-state and out-of-state students in public colleges.

With rising tuition costs and a competitive job market, it feels nearly impossible to afford an education, but also impractical not to pursue one. At the same time, most universities brand themselves as spaces to “discover who you are.” How can you possibly learn, choose a degree and afford it all in the span of four short years? Simple—take more time to earn your degree.

According to Mental Health America, “About half of all full-time college students have jobs outside of school. This number jumps to 80% when it comes to part-time students. One study showed that 70% of college students are stressed about finances. With work, school, activities, and friends all demanding attention, many students struggle with balancing and prioritizing the different areas of their lives.”

It looks like finishing everything within the 4-year time frame was too difficult, after all.

On one hand, job training seems like the obvious choice. Employers want experience and proof that candidates can apply their education to the “real world,” all while balancing extracurriculars. Good grades are no longer enough. Resumes need to be versatile — well-balanced, but not too broad. They must show involvement in organizations that are relevant but not too niche. For example, if you are a pre-law major and only join the Pre-Law Society, it might not be enough.

The easy option seems to be picking a major with a clear path: get your degree, land a job and earn the expected salary. However, these paths are costly, often tied to programs like nursing or pre-med. Many students choose this route without realizing how difficult it is. After their first semester, the weight reality hits. I can speak from experience — school felt more like survival than learning. I jumped from test to test, retaining little information. I did well academically, but I had no time for extracurriculars. I could not build that sought-after resume.

So why is this a problem? To some, it is not. But to land that “expected salary” you probably Googled before declaring your major, you have to be the best of the best — the most well-rounded. That pressure often leads students to switch to something that is more practical and easier to complete and allows more room for involvement on campus. That push for practicality comes at a cost.

Students who enter college purely to ensure job security often miss the chance to explore their ideas. What happens to curiosity when classes are chosen only for practicality? Is it still learning at that point, or is it just job training? Even though random prerequisites may feel like a waste of time, what if that one class sparks an unexpected idea?

According to the Children’s Wellness Center, “A recent study has even shown that too many enrichment activities can harm mental health. The downsides of too many extracurriculars include the potential for increased levels of stress and anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, burnout, over-scheduling and reduced opportunities for creativity and spontaneity”.

Still, the financial reality cannot be ignored. Students at Mississippi State University — and everywhere else — are not just keeping up with classes, grades and football schedules. They are staring down the weight and cost of it all. With that in mind, curiosity and exploration seem like luxuries only the privileged can afford.

Maybe the answer is not choosing one over the other, but finding a balance. That is much easier said than done. A degree should open doors to employment, but it should also push students to think deeply, challenge assumptions and grow beyond titles.

At its best, college should be both a launchpad into a career and a place to form new ideas. The real challenge is making sure students do not have to sacrifice curiosity for survival or job security for passion. If higher education becomes only about job training, we lose something bigger: the belief that learning itself has inherent value.