Research Paper Running Head IS

Running Head: IS INVESTING ON AN IVY LEAGE COLLEGE WORTH IT? 1

,

Is Investing On An Ivy League College Worth It?

Gabriel Rodríguez Haddock

Interamerican university from Puerto Rico

Bayamon Campus

Author Note

Gabriel Rodriguez Haddock, Department of Business

Administration, Interamerican university from Puerto Rico,

Bayamon Campus.

Correspondence concerning this manuscript should be

addressed to E-mail: grodriguez9830@interbayamon.edu

IS INVESTING ON AN IVY LEAGUE COLLEGE WORTH IT?

2

Abstract

IS INVESTING ON AN IVY LEAGUE COLLEGE WORTH IT?

3

Introduction

A college education gives graduates a competitive edge when it comes to finding jobs

and earning a living. It also provides benefits such as: career opportunities, satisfaction and

stability. For instance, finding a job without a college degree is a difficult to do because

companies tend to look for educated and experienced people. If a student achieves a college

certification, it will be easier to apply and get the job. However, with more and more occupations

requiring advanced education, a college degree is critical to success in today’s workforce. An

example of this is the Ivy league schools who have a long history of high-profile professionals

who have gone and become a name from themselves.

Ivy League colleges are exclusive and prestigious institutions located in the northeast

region of United States. For example, in the New World Encyclopedia (2010), it states that

universities such as: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Pennsylvania

and Yale are classified as Ivy League colleges due to the excess of admission in their students

and more financial benefits compared to public institutions. They are considered the most

sought-after by many students due to their track record and reputation. For example, a famous

graduate from those institutions is Barack Obama, an ex-president from United States. These

exclusive institutions are also recognized for having low acceptance rates and a selective

admission process that changes frequently. However, according to Rand Richards Cooper

(2018), Ivy league colleges are an important part of the culture of education because they act as

the definers of the successful class, but make it complicated to know who can get in.” Also,

Prestige universities are well known for having an impact on the hiring process and giving more

opportunity to work in the labor market.

IS INVESTING ON AN IVY LEAGUE COLLEGE WORTH IT?

4

Even if a degree can help open more opportunities, is not enough as degrees are

becoming more common in the work industry. Many students go to top schools because of the

notoriety of prestige to get connections to get good jobs. Academic performance, job

qualifications, accomplishments are some of the quality’s employers are looking for; therefore,

students believe that their college’s choice will affect their employment future. However, due to

their exclusivity, prestigious schools have been expensive compared with public institutions. In

fact, Erin Goodwood (2019, September 19) states that “tuitions and fees in these institutions can

cost up to $66,091 yearly, while state schools are approximately $20,090 to $35,370.” These

numbers are growing exponentially over the years because of their high demand and

reputation. Due to these assumptions, many question themselves, is it worth investing in an Ivy