As I was reading the comment section of a blog post yesterday, I came across some discussions of financial responsibility and how the commenter did not understand the idea of sending one's children to "one of the 5 or 6 uber Catholic colleges" in the nation for a $100,000 The
ology degree. This is actually an issue I have mentally wrestled with (especially as we apply for loans to fund college girl's "uber Catholic" education!!) How will these Theology, Philosophy, Liberal Arts (and ...umm..Drama) majors pay off their loans? Jobs in these fields pay notoriously low wages, as many of them (excluding Drama) are within the Church. This is certainly a legitimate question, but I think there are other valid and important points to consider.
My own college education--four year bachelor's degree--totalled $16,000. Of course, it was a state college, not private, not catholic (neither was I, at that time!)certainly not "uber"! I graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. I homeschool my children and only worked in sales and real estate for less than 2 years after we were married, before the children came. It could be said that I am wasting my degree. Honestly, I would have to disagree. The return on my parents' $16,000 investment cannot be determined by monetary means. College broadened my knowledge base. A curriculum advisor told me once that the classes kids complain about and say they will "never" use in the "real world" are precisely the classes that build a "foundation for greatness" (her words, not mine). They give us a broad understanding of the world, its people and its history, and the ability to think clearly, deeply and reason intelligently. I feel college did this for me--not necessarily the "greatness" part, but it opened up my perspective and deepened my understanding of my world and the people in it. I have benefited from my college education and my family has as well, even if it is not in the form of a weekly paycheck.
My daughter attends one of those "uber" Catholic colleges--Praise God!!! Of course we worry about her loans and her ability with a Drama degree (with music and theology minors) to pay it back, but we know without a doubt that the return on this investment will be paid one hundred fold. We have already seen tremendous growth in her in just her first year--socially, academically (dean's list!) and spiritually. In one short year, she has matured beyond what we could have hoped for. The formation she is obtaining at this "uber" college will make her a better Catholic woman, a good role model and example of true beauty; it will eventually make her a better wife and a better mother and these benefits will ultimately have eternal consequences.
My son (almost 16) thinks he would like to go into the medical field--perhaps as an Occupational Therapist or a Physical Therapist. He could attend the local community college for 2 years and get his PTA or OTA degree (while living at home and saving lots of money!) and then transfer to a different college to complete his training. There is certainly nothing wrong with this approach. The kicker is, he wants to attend the same "uber" school as his sister. He could do a "pre-professional" program there, but for a lot more money than the community college. BUT, the "uber" school has just added a new Bioethics department that is very dynamic, and so very important an issue in these days, as we recently discovered. My son is taking a class at a local hospital to introduce teens to the medical professions. During this short class they discussed communication, infection control, privacy issues, CPR and....Reiki, gemstones, crysta
ls (there is "energy" all about us, said his instructor, the Reiki Master!). They also talked about end-of-life issues and debated the Terri Schiavo trajedy (I am so proud of him for standing up for the value of all human life!) These are huge issues in the medical fields!! The benefit of him being trained in this field through this new Bioethics department is priceless. He will need to be grounded in the Truth and in close relationship with the Divine Physician in order to avoid the "new age/mercy killing" propaganda that abounds in medicine.
For these reasons, I think it is a mistake to consider only the monetary benefits of a college education. What about the attorney who "throws it all away" to work with a mission serving the poor? Or the kid who didn't go to college, but develops new software and becomes a millionaire? It just isn't all about money. Kids at these "uber"colleges are being trained to go out into the world and set it on fire by their example and their love. Who can put a price on that?
I don't think there is an easy answer. College tuition is outrageous and the ability to pay off loans is a serious consideration. Especially since these good Catholic young people will very probably be supporting large families in the near future. As with most issues, this one is best decided individually in prayer and discernment before the Seat of Wisdom itself.
