[WORLD] In recent years, the value of a college degree has been a topic of heated debate. With rising tuition costs and student loan debt, many young people question whether the benefits of higher education outweigh the financial burden. However, a new survey has uncovered a surprising advantage of obtaining a college degree that goes beyond career prospects and earning potential: graduates are much more likely to have friends and maintain strong social connections.
The Social Divide: College Graduates vs. Non-Graduates
The Survey Center on American Life, a nonprofit organization backed by the American Enterprise Institute, conducted a comprehensive study of over 6,500 US adults in March and April 2024. The results revealed a stark contrast in social lives between college graduates and those without a degree.
Friendship Networks
One of the most striking findings of the survey was the difference in close friendships between college graduates and non-graduates. The study found that:
- 24% of non-college-educated Americans had no close friends
- 17% of non-college-educated Americans had at least six close friends
- 45% of Americans with at least a bachelor's degree had at least six close friends
- Only 10% of college graduates had no close friends
These statistics highlight a significant social advantage for those who have pursued higher education. College graduates are not only more likely to have friends but also tend to have larger friendship networks.
Social Support
The survey also revealed that college graduates were more likely to have friends who could provide various forms of support. Compared to Americans without a degree, college graduates reported having friends who could:
- Help them move
- Give them a ride
- Take them to a doctor's appointment
- Offer them a place to stay
This level of social support can be crucial in times of need and contributes to overall well-being and life satisfaction.
The Declining Social Landscape
While the survey highlighted the social advantages of a college degree, it also revealed a concerning trend across all education levels. Americans today report having significantly fewer friends than they did in a similar Gallup survey conducted in 1990. However, this decline in socialization has been more pronounced for those without a college degree.
Sam Pressler, coauthor of the report and practitioner fellow at the University of Virginia's Karsh Institute of Democracy, commented on this trend:
"Americans with fewer years of formal education participate less often in community life, are less civically active, have fewer close friends, and have less social support than those with four-year college degrees. Increasingly, the ability to cultivate strong social support is a privilege reserved for the college-educated, rather than an ordinary feature of American life."
This social divide has raised concerns among experts, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who has warned of an "epidemic of loneliness and isolation" in the United States. The physical and mental health consequences of this social isolation are becoming increasingly apparent.
Factors Contributing to the Social Divide
Several factors contribute to the social advantage experienced by college graduates:
1. Declining Participation in Traditional Social Institutions
In recent decades, there has been a significant decline in participation in traditional social institutions such as marriage, religious organizations, and labor unions. This decline has been more pronounced among non-college-educated Americans, reducing opportunities for social connections.
2. Access to Community Groups and Activities
The survey found that college graduates were more likely to be members of nonreligious community groups, including:
- Hobby or activity groups
- Community groups or neighborhood associations
- Sports leagues or workout groups
Non-college-educated Americans have become increasingly unattached from these social networks, further limiting their opportunities for friendship and community engagement.
3. Financial Barriers to Social Participation
Pressler highlighted the "pay to play" system that exists in many social activities:
"You go to a coffee shop or you go to a bar or a restaurant, those things have dollar signs attached to them. You go and join a gym, you're going to Equinox or even the YMCA, that costs money."
College graduates, who tend to earn higher wages, may have more disposable income to participate in these social activities.
4. Access to Quality Public Spaces
Even in free public spaces like libraries, community centers, and parks, the survey found that non-college-educated Americans were less likely to use them as social gathering places. This could be due to differences in the quality and availability of public spaces in different communities.
5. Work Schedule Flexibility
People without a college degree may be more likely to work multiple jobs or have roles with unpredictable hours, making it challenging to maintain consistent social connections. Pressler noted:
"If you don't know what your schedule is going to be in a week or two weeks if you are working several jobs, it's very hard to imagine being able to plan to participate in community or spend time with family and build those relationships."
The College Experience as a "Supercharger of Relationships"
The social benefits of a college degree often begin during the college experience itself. Pressler described college as a "supercharger of relationships," providing unique opportunities for social connections that may not be available to those who enter the workforce directly after high school.
These social benefits continue after graduation, as many college graduates move to cities where they can build upon their college connections. Pressler explained:
"You have potentially the leisure time and the discretionary income to participate in community life with other people who have college degrees and you're also involved and meshed in these networks of your fellow alum."
The Workplace as a Social Hub
For many people, the workplace provides another opportunity to make friends. In 2022, over half of respondents told the Survey Center that they'd met a close friend through their work or a spouse's work. However, college graduates were more likely to have formed these workplace friendships, further expanding their social networks.
The Increasing Value of a College Degree
Pressler believes that the financial and social benefits of a college degree have increased in recent decades. He attributes this partly to the decline in some middle-class jobs, driven by factors such as globalization and recessions.
When young people decide whether to pursue higher education, many place significant value on the potential social benefits. This is reflected in college recruiting efforts, which often emphasize campus clubs, Greek life, and sports to attract students.
Addressing the Social Divide
While the survey highlights the social advantages of a college degree, Pressler cautions against viewing higher education as the only solution to the social divide:
"I don't think the answer is to necessarily get more young adults to go to college because of the adverse social consequences that we highlighted in our report. Rather, we should be aiming to mitigate — and, ideally, eliminate — the educational divide in civic life."
Pressler suggests several potential solutions to address the overall decline in friendships and the larger decline for people without degrees:
- Housing policies that promote more middle and social housing
- Neighborhood policies that provide micro-grants for community-building activities such as:
- Block parties
- Community dinners
- Sports leagues
- Block clean-ups
These initiatives could help bring neighbors together and foster social connections regardless of educational background.
The hidden value of a college degree extends far beyond career prospects and earning potential. The social advantages revealed by this survey highlight the importance of friendship networks and community engagement in overall life satisfaction. While pursuing higher education can provide a significant boost to one's social life, it's crucial to address the growing social divide and ensure that opportunities for meaningful connections are available to all members of society, regardless of educational attainment.
As we continue to navigate an increasingly digital and isolated world, the value of strong social connections cannot be overstated. By recognizing the importance of these relationships and working to create more inclusive communities, we can strive to bridge the social divide and promote well-being for all.
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