Education As An Investment: 12 Key Reasons to Consider in 2024

Education isn't just about acquiring knowledge. It's an investment in yourself with high returns. It can certainly help you earn more money or get a better job. But did you know that it can also improve your health, both mentally and physically? So, put down the coffee and join in as we explore a few reasons you should invest in education. Many of us misunderstand the phrase "education as an investment." It involves more than just spending your money; you also need to squeeze in the time, energy, right skills, and willpower to get a good return on investment in education. Here, we will discuss the impact and importance of education as an investment and the risks associated with it. Let's get started, shall we? 

Impact of Education as an Investment 

Did you know the World Bank reported that every additional year of schooling can increase your income by 10%? Think of education as an investment, as it brings wide-ranging returns. It helps you develop your thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities — all of which are essential for success in any career path you choose. One study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the unemployment rate for those with bachelor's degrees was 2.2% compared to 3.6% for those with a high school diploma. Needless to say, education as an investment can inspire you to a healthier life. 

Top 12 Reasons Why Education is an Investment 

Education as an investment is the best decision you can make. It's not just about reading books uncountable times! It's more about getting into the world of possibilities. Here are 12 rational reasons why investing in education is a must. From expanding your horizons and fueling innovation to bridging gaps and boosting economies, education offers unparalleled returns. So why wait? Let's dive into the reasons why we invest in education for a brighter future! 

1. Higher Earning Potential  

The fact that the hiring norm has changed from stressing "qualification" to focusing more on "skill" does not change the fact that educational qualification is still important. Investing in education is still one of the best-proven ways of getting better and higher salaries. Earning a degree in any subject translates into having deeper knowledge and expertise in the desired field as compared to someone who doesn't have one. By going to college, students develop their skills by taking up internships, workshops, and seminars and building their credibility for future job roles. You can even invest in the best Coursera courses online to pick up the necessary skills for in-demand jobs. 

2. Networking Opportunities

Educational institutions are built-in professional networks. Your classmates may become future colleagues, and professors can be your mentors. Universities and colleges usually have strong alumni networks that offer career resources and networking events. As we have also entered a new dawn to realise the greatest benefits education can provide, there's more to capitalise on. Focus on improving connecting with people using networking tips and tricks. Many young people are encouraged to pick on this crucial skill before they hatch into the corporate world. Networking is a golden opportunity to get more job opportunities, deepen your industry knowledge, grow faster, ability to innovate, and build authority. 

3. Unbreakable Work Ethics 

We all have unknowingly mastered the concept of "work ethics" even before landing our first job. How? The early traces of learning and understanding of "work ethics" come directly from our school and college days, with education as an investment backing you up. Whether writing a difficult essay topic, adhering to serious assignment deadlines, or giving a presentation in front of the class, most of us have displayed some traits of work ethics like communication, punctuality, organisational skills, and productivity in the four walls of our classroom. All these soft skills are non-negotiable if you are looking to reach the peak of your career. Hence, investing in your education would be to learn discipline and strengthen these building blocks to help you succeed in the corporate-run. 

4. Personal Development

It is popularly believed that "to invest in education is to invest for a better you." In other words, education as an investment is always a great asset and a huge shaper to your personality development and self-growth. For years, education has helped people use appropriate knowledge to help solve and navigate through different complex problems. It is safe to think of education as an investment to realise the importance of personal development and enhance your skill growth. Then, you can channel your inner confidence and resilience. Educating yourself can help you make a better communicator, decision-maker, and problem-solver. 

5. Better Career Prospects

Are you looking to make a career switch? Or want to upskill in your career? Then investing in education can be your best option. Getting a degree can be a great pathway to transition into higher responsibility roles like administration or leadership. For instance, many professionals take up MBA programmes to upskill and improve their career prospects. Nowadays, certain jobs also require candidates to have a certain level of education or educational degree, which can increase their chances of getting a high-paying position. Moreover, education as an investment empowers you with specialised skills and knowledge highly sought in certain industries. So, education is the best investment to help you utilise the most in-demand skills to learn for the competitive world. 

6. More Job Security  

In recent times, laying off employees and job security has become a very sensitive issue in the job market. However, investing in education can be a great thing because it can lead to avoiding such circumstances and getting top-notch training. Currently, employers tend to cut down on manpower and screen for highly qualified individuals as potential employees. Education as an investment can act as a safety net in these conditions. Furthermore, those who think education is an investment can easily sail against unforeseen changes in the job market due to their broad skill set, deeper knowledge, and expertise in their respective fields. This adaptability can help you maintain stability during uncertain times and is considered a valuable asset.

7. Bringing Out Freedom 

Education's potential is undermined and restricted as a means to attain financial freedom. In reality, education brings more kinds of freedom besides its monetary value. The biggest of all would be its ability to help people think freely. While learning any subject or matter, you will be exposed to multiple perspectives, ideologies, and beliefs which tickle your brain to think critically and question with curiosity. Education encourages people to form their opinions and beliefs, turning them into free-thinkers. Additionally, education helps you think creatively and innovatively and pushes you to seek new ideas and goals.

8. Unleashing Your Potential

Realising inner talent is one of the biggest reasons many people invest in education and even take student loans for it. In our early school years, we are typically exposed to a wide range of subjects and topics that help us identify our areas of strength and weakness. Some of us were very good with numbers, while others were better at writing poetry. Education allows individuals to polish their skills and talents through specialised degrees, courses, and training programs. Education is an investment that helps you strengthen your base of knowledge and skills in your area of expertise. Then, you can become better equipped to pursue your passion and goals. 

9. Boosting Confidence 

Education is a good investment because it provides knowledge, skills, and abilities for success. As a result, you feel confident in different situations. You can gain social skills, problem-solving abilities, increased self-awareness, and personal growth because of education. Education as an investment can make you feel ready to take on challenges as you get more experienced in your chosen industry. Needless to say, investing in education can play a significant role in boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.

10. Need for Self-Dependence

If you consider education as an investment, you can enhance your self-dependency, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and many other skills. These soft skills help you become more independent and self-reliant. People acquire the capacity to study on their own, look for information, and apply what they have learned to actual circumstances through education. Education as an investment results in increased self-assurance and a sense of accountability.

11. Achieving Goals 

Investing in education helps you reach major goals in your life. Moreover, the importance of education as an investment lies in honing the necessary skills to achieve your major life goals. Education helps you create a strategy for life and get the required knowledge and expertise. Education maintains motivation as well as a goal-focused attitude. Think of education as an investment because it helps everyone achieve objectives by providing them with more networking, mentoring, as well as professional growth chances.

12. Channelling Creativity 

While you may have creativity abilities in you, investing in education can show you the path. Education helps us bring creativity to everything. It exposes us to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. It pushes us to think outside the box and promotes creative thinking and new approaches. Education can provide you with the abilities needed to express your creativity in a variety of fields, including writing, music, painting, and design. You can develop the self-assurance and skills necessary to follow your creative impulses and realise your original ideas by investing in education.

Benefits of Investing in Education

Education as an investment is more than acquiring knowledge; it is an investment in yourself to unlock a world of possibilities. By dedicating time and effort, you can gain skills that empower you to boost your career, expand your horizons, and lead a fulfilling life. In fact, education is a life-changing experience that happens far outside of the classroom. Let's explore the benefits of education as an investment which goes beyond knowledge gain, character development, and changing the environment.

1. Lifelong Currency

Education is the best investment, offering never-ending benefits and ROI. The skills and information you learn in school are valuable for every step of your life. This intellectual knowledge helps you grow personally. It puts you in a strong position to achieve in an ever-evolving world. 

2. To Make Your Parents Feel Proud

Not only is pursuing an education a personal accomplishment, but it also makes your family very proud. Your educational path becomes a shared success. It represents the values taught by your parents. It leaves a legacy of accomplishment that makes your family happy and satisfied.

3. Shield Against Fraud  

Education is an investment for the future and a strong defence against anything fake you see. A 2021 AARP study found that adults with a college degree were less likely to report losing money to fraud compared to those with a high school diploma or less. So, education is an investment to help you become more aware and less vulnerable to scams and fraud.  

Risks of Investing in Education

While we all believe education is an investment, there is a different side we should keep in mind, too. We understand the benefits mentioned earlier are certainly strong enough to impact your decision to study further positively. However, like with anything else in the world, there are drawbacks that you must take into account before making your choice. Then, you should be ready to deal with the challenges if you want to pursue higher education in future.

1. Uncertain Returns

There is no assurance that the returns on your investment in education will be large enough to cover the costs. Education surely helps you in the employment market, but nobody can predict whether you will be able to make it beforehand. Keep in mind that different people experience different rewards and that they may take longer to manifest.

2. Changing Job Market

Another risk of investing in education is that the job market is constantly evolving. One day, you might find that the knowledge and skills you have acquired are no longer necessary. A good way to assess and overcome this risk is to stay up to date with the industry's trends and focus on acquiring lifelong learning skills. For this reason, you should try to intern in high-paying part-time jobs and understand the tides of the market.

3. Educational Quality

Since not all programs or educational institutions offer education of the same quality, you should do your research when picking your program and university. This is a crucial step, as picking the wrong program or college might lead to limited career prospects.

4. Rising Costs

Investing in your education is important, but you should also know about the rising tuition fees. Many with high academic aspirations may find it difficult to afford the costs of higher education. The costs include textbooks, tuition, and other educational expenses. If you are running out of budget, you can apply for postgraduation scholarships, which can help you in achieving your dream life. 

5. Opportunity Costs

If you have studied economics, you might be familiar with 'opportunity costs,' which refer to resources that you could invest elsewhere that might give you better returns. It's important to weigh the potential benefits of investing in education against the opportunity costs involved.

Now that you know why we think education is an investment, we hope you can take the next step carefully. Investing in education can profoundly impact our lives and future success! It can open doors and give us the skills and information we need to accomplish our goals, from increasing employment options to sharpening critical thinking skills. Education can also encourage confidence, creativity, and personal development, all of which can contribute to a more contented and meaningful existence. In case you are thinking about higher education abroad, don't worry about accommodation – amber has got you covered!