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Luzerne blaze kills cat and dog

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Luzerne County Council to discuss hearing request for possible new tax break

<p>Twice a year, The Institute polls local college students from 13 schools in the region to assess their opinions on a variety of topics.</p><p>In a recent poll, area students listed the cost of education as their number one concern. With these costs continuing to rise, it is more important than ever that students of all ages &#8211; especially those who will take on debt &#8211; make informed decisions.</p><p>According to the data, earnings do increase for individuals who have post-high school education or technical certificates. So, some investment in education has the potential to be worthwhile. Regionally, graduates of four-year institutions earn 1.6 times more than those with high school diplomas. In Luzerne County, individuals with bachelor&#8217;s degrees earn an average salary of $62,000 and high school graduates earn an average of $38,000 annually.</p><p>The data also shows that those with technical certificates or associate&#8217;s degrees in specialized fields gain significant earning advantages as well. There is high demand in the regional labor market for occupations that require less than a four-year degree. There are diverse opportunities for those looking to make career changes, and for high school graduates to train for jobs in health care, manufacturing, logistics, the trades and many other careers that requiring different post-secondary education and therefore different financial commitments.</p><p>Things have changed significantly since I graduated college in the early 90s. The school I attended that cost $14,500 my freshman year now costs over $70,000 &#8211; more than a 300 percent increase. The starting salary in the field I entered upon graduation has not increased nearly as much. Students today face a very different landscape when making decisions about their futures. Loan debt needs to be a major consideration as such costs shape the personal finances of many Americans today.</p><p>Our oldest daughter is currently a sophomore in college. She chose the school, with our guidance, because it offered her opportunities she was looking for and made sense financially. Student debt &#8211; or lack thereof &#8211; played a huge role in the decision. We plan to help our other children chart similar courses so that their futures do not include crippling debt.</p><p>Data does show that despite rising costs, post-secondary education significantly increases earning potential and is therefore be a wise financial investment. The current and future job market, area of interest, price of education, and return on investment should all be considered when making this important decision.</p><p>At the Institute, we believe that good decisions begin with good data. We hope the information in these articles will help you and your family with informed decision-making now and in the future.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Susan Magnotta</p><p>Guest Columnist</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Susan Magnotta is Director of Community Outreach at The Institute. Her column appears every other on Monday.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Institute Insights: Students need to make smart decisions about post-H.S. education