The short answer is yes. Today explores 5 reasons why 4-year and 2-year degrees are needed to succeed in the 21st century. Make it as affordable as possible. Start saving early. Learn about borrowing options early. To hear one couple’s story, check our archive at Ready for College? June 1, 2015 Earning power of a degree.  A graduate will earn twice as much in a lifetime as someone with no degree. You can minimize your debt!  Most large college debt comes from students not being prepared to manage themselves when they get to college. Yes, college is expensive, but students who take 5 or 6 years to graduate increase debt by 25-50%! Only about 1 in 3 graduate on time? 40% take 7 or more years. Help your student and lower your debt, Use the College Smart 12 strategy formula for success. The need for 2 and 4-yr degrees in the 21st Century. We’ve already seen jobs “disappear.” The trend is going to accelerate. Plus, many of the jobs students will compete for don’t yet exist! How do students prepare for that? By being College Smart: * By learning how to prepare themselves to be adaptable in a changing career market * By developing their minds, personal talents and strengths — that begins in college. 21st Century Hiring Needs. Facing a new highly competitive global economy, employers are looking for idea people * who can innovate * who absorb information quickly (efficient learners) * who’ve “got it together” personally * who know what’s expected of them and deliver. That’s what college wants too. That’s being College Smart.  Start right now.