You probably know a number of people who never attended a university or who didn’t finish their college education yet still have very successful careers. However, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), college educated individuals tend to be the most profitable.

According to the 2007 BLS figures, those 25 years and older who hold undergraduate degree typically earn 30 to 40 percent above those with only a high school diploma; while Master’s degree holders can earn even more.

A university degree offers much more than higher earnings. When you attend a university you have an opportunity to further explore your interests while expanding your horizons. The educational options available at a university provide students with a wide array of knowledge. Courses on business, science and the arts provide university students with a multidisciplinary education. Universities also offer the opportunities to pursue education beyond the undergraduate level as they offer Master’s and Doctorate degree programs.

University life also offers students the opportunity to learn valuable life skills such as independence and the ability to be self-sufficient. Many students who live on campus often experience life away from home for the first time, teaching them responsibility and to better understand the world around them, while giving them chance to meet lifelong contacts and friends with diverse backgrounds.

When you attend a university you also have a variety of resources at your fingertips. Such tools range from financial aid, peer counseling and a network of people to the tools available upon graduation. Resources such as career guidance and alumni programs as well as the knowledge gained from the university experience will help students throughout their lives.

When you choose to pursue a college education, you are investing in yourself and your future. A university degree opens up a world of opportunity and broadens your options while you gain the skills necessary to be successful, no matter what career path you choose.