Ishitani, 2006 / The Journal of Higher Education / September 2006
The value of higher education is evidenced in a form of governmental and societal investment. The annual differential in earnings associated with educational attainment helps federal and state governments to increase their tax revenues as the number of college-educated individuals increases. Moreover, voting behavior is strongly influenced by one’s educational level. However, the value of higher education is generally linked to its narrow definition of private economic gains, such as higher earnings and better career opportunities. Administrative personnel in institutions of higher education are likely to use the language of private economic benefits to attract prospective students, while educational organizations also highlight the employment prospects upon graduating.
