Going back to College?  Returning to earn a credential? Exploring interests? Looking to learn? There is no right or wrong reasons. Consider some of these 51 reasons to take the first step...

Here are 51 reasons to consider going back to college.  Thinking about finishing your degree?  Or are you considering a new College degree possibly?  Don't forget, if you have prior coursework and academic credit already completed, you can get a jump start satisfying degree requirements.  Read more about the steps to request college credit for prior learning...

1. Be more qualified: Many jobs require specialized skills, knowledge and practical training that only a college degree and program can provide. Granted not all jobs require a college degree, but many employers look for the most qualified - and having a college degree often puts you in a better position than not. A college degree demonstrates you have what it takes to finish what you start.  Start to bridge to a new career by exploring career alternatives.
2. Make more money: It is a common cliché that College graduates make more than those who only complete high school or their GED equivalent.  That means, over a life-time of earnings, college graduates on average earn more than a million more than their high school counterparts. That is a pretty significant chunk of change. Don't believe it?  Well, check out this article on employment opportunities and wages related to level of education then.  We have to think of college as an investment - costing X today with Y payback over Z years. Do the math. If it costs $100K to finish your degree over two more years and you could earn $1M over the next twenty years with the college degree behind you, that would result in adding $50K to your W2 per year on average. Plug in the real numbers.
3. Demonstrate success: Employers are expecting more education because jobs are more sophisticated due in part to complexity and specialization. Finishing your degree may offer you a $10K annual increase in salary because you can demonstrate how you handle multi-tasking. If your employer pays for all or part of the coursework and fees to finish, it is even better. It is like a raise that continues to pay you down the road.  Check out the ten ways to reduce the cost of finishing college.
4. Gain a competitive edge: As more and more people expand their education, the competition for high paying, stable jobs will increase. Experience combined with education helps demonstrate motivation and drive to succeed, another quality employers seek out.
5. Meet higher expectations: Parents, family and friends expect us to do better. Finish college and show them you have what it takes to succeed. If not for them, do it for yourself.
6. Switch fields: Lifelong jobs are a thing of the past. Many industries and jobs have been disrupted by outsourcing, global competition and economies of scale.  Explore the implications of changing professions and your career path.
7. Secure your future: People with higher levels of education tend to have better job security, so stay ahead of the unemployment curve and finish your degree.  A credential earned stays with you for life.
8. A better lifestyle: your degree can help you get beyond the job ceiling holding you back, and it will give you independence from the status quo.
9. Confidence builder: College level courses and experiences help build exposure too many topics, thinkers and doers. It is a great confidence boost to complete the checklist of requirements.
10. Improve your social network: College gives you a credential, a club so to speak, where you can network in person or virtually.
11. Improve your discipline: It takes great discipline to study and excel in college. People who graduate from college learn to overcome procrastination. They demonstrate discipline to stay the course and get through obstacles.
12. Improve your business network: College is not just what you learn in the classroom, study groups or internships. Networking and meeting people is a big part of any school.