WACFL 4 Con Case

My partner and I negate the resolution, Resolved: The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits.
Costs - An amount required in payment (a price).
We negate the resolution for the following 3 contentions
Contention 1 College graduates have potential to earn more money than non-graduates
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, the average salary for those with a degree was
$53,976 per year whereas those with a high school diploma earned only $32,552 per year. In summation,
this difference equals to $900,000 total difference over the course of a persons lifetime. Furthermore,
according to Mark Grimm, a Stanford socioeconomics professor, students who earn their Bachelors
degree have 83% higher incomes than high-school graduates. The cost of attending many colleges may be
pricey, but the difference in median income is more than enough to justify it. Perhaps more important the
education is the actual degree itself. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 73% of jobs
required at least 2 years of post-secondary school training. Moreover, the degree can prove to be very
beneficial in making more money. The average income of the jobs requiring a degree is $84,000, while
the average salary of jobs without a degree is $43,000. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau, the initial salary for a student with a bachelors degree is $53,000, while it is $30,000 for nongraduates. This shows that even with nothing but a college degree, a persons value is higher than one
without.
Contention 2 College education provides for many opportunities
A college education lowers the percentage of unemployment. According to Kantrowitz, the
unemployment rate of college graduates 8%, which is less than half the level of their counterparts with
19%. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 23 of the 30 most rising careers require a
college degree or more, emphasizing the upcoming need for more education. College education also helps
in social mobility and lower income disparities. Andrew Rotheram of Bellwether Education rightly refers
to college as the most effective social mobility strategy we have. In a study over the course of 6 years,
Maria Hoofe, a professor in Notre Dame found, Only 8% of Americans from the bottom fifth of income
bracket climb up to the top two-fifths without a college degree. However, this number skyrockets to 51%

with a college degree for people among the same group. Thus, by going to college, a student keeps doors
for success open, whereas if the student does not, a student relegates himself to below average earnings,
increases chances of unemployment, and forgoes nearly all chance of breaking through to the wealthier
classes of America.
Contention 3 College education provides for a healthy society, and has non-economic benefits
The benefits of education are not purely economic. Perhaps more important than the college
degree are the skills acquired through the process of college education. Rebecca Mead writes in The New
Yorker that college can nurture critical thought; expose individuals to the signal accomplishments of
humankind; develop in them an ability not just to listen actively but to respond intelligently. According
to a study by Pew Research Center, 4500 out of 6000 students described their experience as very useful in
helping them grow intellectually, and socially. A majority of the 4500 in the study concluded some
beneficial factors as the interview process, social hangouts, seminar discussions, laboratory sessions,
interaction with professors, self-discipline, and self-learning as excellent previews of real-world
situations. An unnamed student from the survey concluded, College education made me more of an
individual and increased my creativity and appreciation for others. College allows me and my peers to
receive enormously valuable assets to aid our society we attempt to improve life for our generation.
Of course, the intellectual benefits of college are also important for society as well, since a welleducated population is critical to the upward movement of a nation. The college education process makes
students more knowledgeable, experienced, and culturally aware. Because of this, college grads are more
involved in society. A 2005 Collegeboard study noted that between ages 24-44, 76 percent who were
college graduates reported voting, compared to 49 percent of high school graduates. David Leonhardt
weighed in on the issue in a May 2010 article, noting how Americas education system is the single most
important determining factor in U.S. economic growth. Thus, in this sense, by forgoing college, one
forgoes intellectual values and skills that are important not only to an individual but to the nation as a
whole.

For these reasons, my partner and I would like to urge a con ballot. Thank you.
REBUTTALS

Unemployment rates yes. Result of college? No. This is result of depressed labor market. A
depressed labor market makes a college degree more valuable. With a larger number of applicants
than openings available, employers are operating in a buyers market, increasing the necessity
of earning a degree. Degrees distinguish applicants by demonstrating the ability to overcome
challenges.
While the cost of attending many colleges is steep, the difference in median income is more than
enough to justify it
Rising college costs? Yes. But, firstly, despite high costs, students are receiving a good value. As
previously noted, a college graduate will earn an income that is 80% higher than their peers.
Second, students who attend college can easily create a prudent rule of thumb to limit their
costs and make prudent decisions. Third, students can invest energy into earning scholarships.
Time spent in college too long? Yes. But no reason to totally abandon college. Instead of telling
students not to enroll in college, we should attempt to lift graduation rates and strengthen
graduation deadlines.

Strategies for Con

Play the weighing game

Refute pros points, dont be too aggressive in enforcing ours

Judge bias might be real. Judges have been to college, sent their children to college or at the very
least are tax-payers whose funds support colleges. Tell that the money they spent were not
wasted.

The educational alternatives to a traditional college degree are less costly and risky than the
alternatives proposed by the Pro. Yes, some entrepreneurs like Gates, Jobs and Zuckerberg rose to
the top. Citing exceptional performers doesnt speak to the norm. Most folks are better off in
community college than being entrepreneurs.

Non-economic benefits. The costs to college are primarily economic. The benefits to college
exceed economic calculations and offer other ancillary benefits to the individual and to the
country at large.

The income gap. Its a real thing. The average person who foregoes a successful shot at college
also forgoes $850,000 in income over the course of their lifetime. Although the value assigned to
college may be artificial, it affects real decision-makers with real power over the allocation of real
jobs and resources.

Its the wrong time to skip going to college. In todays poor economy, given the lack of available
loans and enormous unemployment rate, it is best advised to take the sure route and attend
college.