DiscoverThe Happy Money PodcastCollege ROI: Is a Degree Worth the Debt?
College ROI: Is a Degree Worth the Debt?

College ROI: Is a Degree Worth the Debt?

Update: 2025-04-03
Share

Description

Should you go to college? Is it the best investment? 🎓 Join Gino and Michael Barbaro for an honest father-son conversation exploring the return on investment (ROI) of higher education, student debt realities, and alternative paths to success.

 Key Takeaways: 

✅ Beyond the Degree: Viewing College Through the Lens of ROI: Learn why assessing the potential return on investment—not just the prestige—should be the primary factor in the college decision. 📈 

✅ Debt vs. Dreams: Understanding the True Cost of Borrowing for Education: Discover the staggering statistics of student debt and the long-term impact it can have on financial freedom and life choices. 💸 

✅ Personalized Paths to Success: Exploring Alternatives and Defining Your "Why": Understand that college isn't the only route to a fulfilling life and how aligning your education with your passions and goals is crucial. 🛤️ 

Chapters: 

0:00 - The College Debt Dilemma 

0:14 - Welcome to the Happy Money Podcast: A Father-Son Discussion on College

0:36 - The Big Question: Is College Worth It in Today's World? 

1:01 - Viewing College as an Investment: Focusing on Return on Investment (ROI). 

1:36 - The Societal Pressure: Why the Urge to Spend Big on College? 

2:08 - Today's Focus 

2:33 - The Shocking Statistics 

3:48 - Michael's College Experience 

4:57 - Parental Perspectives 

6:41 - Wasteful Classes: The Hidden Costs of Required Courses. 

7:53 - Dual Enrollment & Community College: More Affordable Pathways.

 8:33 - Alternatives to College: Trade Schools, Certifications, and Real-World Skills. 

9:07 - When College Makes Sense: Pursuing Specific Professions. 

9:56 - Taking a Gap Year: Working and Saving Before Committing to College. 

10:26 - Happy Money, Happy Family, Happy Legacy: Aligning Finances with Values. 

10:56 - The Impact of Student Debt: Credit Scores and Long-Term Consequences. 

11:37 - Reimagining College: Streamlining Curriculum for Affordability. 

13:03 - The Rising Cost of College: Comparing Past and Present Tuition. 

14:01 - A Parent's Framework: Evaluating a Child's Readiness and Financial Impact. 

16:15 - A Young Adult's Perspective: Choosing a Major and Following Your Interests. 

17:23 - Overcoming Peer Pressure: Making Independent Choices About Your Future. 

18:45 - Parental Peer Pressure: Resisting Societal Expectations. 

20:52 - It Depends: The Nuanced Answer to the College Question. 

21:38 - Gino's Final Thoughts: Return on Investment and Prioritizing Your Child's Best Interest 

22:09 - Michael's Final Thoughts: 

23:13 - Thank You & Call to Action: Visit Barbaro360.com for More! 

 

Personal finance, Relationships, Faith, Health & Wellness - it’s all overwhelming and there’s no clear map to guide you. 🗺️ But what if there was? 🤔 Visit our website to start your transformation. Your journey to a fuller, more vibrant life is just a click away. 💻🚀

 https://barbaro360.com/ 

Join our free Facebook group and connect with a fast-growing community of like-minded individuals: https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbaro360 

Visit our Store on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR3JJ7VG 

#educationforlife #familylife #parentingtips #relationshiptips #personalfinance #lifecoaching


Personal finance, Relationships, Faith, Health & Wellness - it’s all overwhelming and there’s no clear map to guide you. 🗺️ But what if there was? 

Visit our website to start your transformation. Your journey to a fuller, more vibrant life is just a click away: https://barbaro360.com/ 

Join our free Facebook group and connect with a fast-growing community of like-minded individuals: https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbaro360 
 


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Comments 
In Channel
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

College ROI: Is a Degree Worth the Debt?

College ROI: Is a Degree Worth the Debt?

Michael Barbaro, Gino Barbaro