What Could My Life Be Like If I Go To College?

Group of college students smile outside a college building

We’re sure you’re probably tired of adults asking, “So, what are your plans after graduation?” A big question probably weighing on your mind is, What could my life look like if I choose to go to college?

UNCF is here to help you compare the value, the opportunities and the costs to figure it out.

Imagining Your Future Self

There are so many things that come to mind when thinking about college. When you imagine how to choose a college, you might picture move-in day with too many boxes, meeting a roommate you’ve only texted, getting lost on campus and staying up late studying (or pretending to). Or about making new friends, tackling more challenging classes, gaining freedom and taking on more responsibility.

But you might also envision something bigger:

  • Having more say in what kind of work you do
  • Not stressing as much about money
  • Feeling like you’re building a life that actually fits you

People say, “College opens doors.” If you’re wondering whether that is still true, especially with how expensive everything feels right now, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s look at what the data actually says.

Money Talk: How College Could Change Your Paycheck

Let’s be real. You don’t just want a job. You want a life where you can pay your bills, help your family, buy groceries without panic and maybe travel a little.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2024, workers with a bachelor’s degree earned a median of $1,543 per week, while workers with only a high school diploma earned about $930 per week. 

That’s more than a $600 difference every week. Over a year, that adds up to thousands of dollars.

So, when you ask, “What would my life be like if I went to college?” One answer is: I’d probably earn more over time, and I’d have more financial options.

Job Security: Not Just Any Job, but a More Stable One

Money is one thing. Stability is another.

The same BLS data shows that in 2024, people with only a high school diploma had an unemployment rate of 4.2%, while people with a bachelor’s degree had an unemployment rate of 2.5%.

That doesn’t mean college graduates never struggle or never get laid off. But it does mean that, on average, people with more education are less likely to be unemployed.

When you think about your future, that difference matters. You don’t want to constantly worry about losing your job and not finding another one.

Beyond the Paycheck: Health, Happiness and Purpose

You might be surprised to learn that college doesn’t just affect income. It can also shape health, well-being and even how involved people are in their communities.

A Lumina Foundation–Gallup study found that adults who completed education beyond high school tend to report better health, higher well-being and more often fit jobs to their talents than adults with only a high school diploma.

Researchers at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce also found that people with higher levels of education tend to have better health outcomes and higher rates of civic engagement, not just higher earnings. The report explains how more education is associated with many life outcomes, not just salary. So, going to college could mean:

  • A better chance of finding work that fits what you’re good at
  • More stability with health insurance and benefits
  • Feeling more confident speaking up, voting and being involved in your community

Does that sound like the kind of adult you want to be?

Reality Check: Cost, Debt and Stress Are Real

Of course, none of this changes one big truth: college is expensive, and the idea of student loans stresses a lot of us out.

For many students who would be the first in their families to go to college, the picture is even more complicated. A 2025 analysis of first-generation students shows that, in 2020, almost 40% of undergraduates in a bachelor’s degree program were first-generation college students, but only 26% went on to get their degree.

That suggests two things:

  1. First-generation students are showing up in big numbers
  2. The system still doesn’t support them well enough to graduate

Debt is also a serious factor. Studies by organizations such as the Pew Research Center show that first-generation college graduates often carry more debt than students whose parents went to college.

So, when you picture college, don’t just imagine the campus. The full picture often looks like:

  • Filling out financial aid forms (like the FAFSA)
  • Worrying about loans
  • Balancing classes, work and family responsibilities

That’s part of the decision, too.

Apply to Scholarships

In addition to the FAFSA, you should research and apply to as many college scholarships as possible.

UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually to over 10,000 students across more than 1,100 institutions nationwide. For more than 80 years, UNCF has helped more than half a million students earn their college degrees. Learn about UNCF scholarships, internships, fellowships and more programs. UNCF’s website provides detailed instructions about applying for scholarships and grants, as well as other tips.

When applying to colleges, explore the over 100 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the country, 37 of which are UNCF-member institutions. HBCUs offer significantly lower tuition, especially for in-state students.

Beyond the Diploma: New Skills and Networks

A lot of the debate focuses on the degree itself, but the experience matters just as much. College is more than a diploma; it is a chance to develop key skills and build an essential network.

The Power of Exploration

In high school, you have to follow a rigid curriculum. In college, you can choose your major, which means you can actually deep-dive into subjects you love, like history, engineering, film or more.

Even if you don’t follow that exact major forever, the experience will teach essential skills like:

  • Critical thinking: Analyzing complex problems
  • Time management: Balancing classes, clubs and social life
  • Effective communication: Learning how to write clearly, persuasively and concisely

College gives you four years to figure things out, which is a big relief. You don’t have to choose your entire career at age 18.

The Professional Network

People say networking is important, and college is essentially a built-in professional community. You’ll gain access to professors who are experts in their fields, alumni working at interesting companies and career services departments that focus on helping students get internships and jobs.

When you look at job hunting after high school versus after college, the difference is clear. College would give you connections, practice interviewing and a list of alumni ready to help a fellow graduate.

So, What Could Your Life Be Like If You Go to College?

If you go to college, your life could look like this:

  • You’re more likely to earn more money over time and have stable job options
  • You may have better chances at a job that fits your strengths, with benefits that protect your health and future
  • You’ll probably meet people from different places, learn new ways of thinking and figure out more about who you are
  • You may also take on debt, stress and hard work that you need to think through carefully

College isn’t magic, and it isn’t the only way to build a good life. But based on what the data shows—and what you want for your future—it is still a powerful path.

You might not have a final answer yet. But now, when someone asks, “What are your plans after graduation?” you can at least say: “I’m doing my research, I’m asking hard questions and I’m seriously considering college—not just because everyone expects it, but because I’m starting to see what my life could be like if I go.”

And that is a solid place to start.