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For a long time, the American workforce has been becoming increasingly specialized, which means that an increasing amount of education and preparation is required for many careers. A high school diploma was once a guarantee of a person's ability to handle most job skills, but this is no longer the case. In many instances, a person with only a high school diploma faces difficulties finding well-paying positions with job security. A few years of college, and preferably a degree, are now almost necessary qualifications.
长时间以来，美国劳动力日趋专业化，这就意味着大量岗位越来越需要有教育背景的职工。高中学历曾一度是个人工作能力的保证书，但现在却不再起效。很多例子说明，一个高中文化的人在找高薪，有保障的工作时会困难重重。几年的大学教育和高程度的学历已成为目前必要的就业资格。
The Facts
事实
As the cost of a college education goes up, many begin to question whether the expense is worth the reward. Simply examining the financial differential between those with a college degree and those without one reveals that the more educated a person is, the more, on average, he will earn in his lifetime. It is estimated that people with a college degree earn almost twice as much as those with only a high school diploma; even those with only a few years of college or an associate's degree earn close to a quarter more. Though the burden of tuition and loans can seem heavy, the cost of remaining uneducated is obvious.
随着大学教育成本增加，很多人开始质疑其花费是否能得到相应的回报。简单地衡量一下有大学学历和没有该学历的人群间的经济差异，就能得知一个人受教育程度越高，他一生中平均挣的钱就越多。经评估，拥有大学学历的人群所挣收入几乎是仅持高中文凭的人群的两倍；甚至那些仅上过短暂大学的人或者准学士也会多挣将近四分之一。虽然学费和贷款负担看似沉重，但不受教育的代价甚是明显。
Significance
意义
Obtaining a college degree makes more than just a financial difference for the individual; rather, it can make the difference for an entire family. Those with more education are generally qualified for jobs with better benefits, including health, life, and retirement. Their jobs are, in general, more secure. Parents who make more money are also better able to provide for their children's education, increasing the likelihood that they will go to college and get good jobs. Getting a college education is one of the best ways to escape the cycle of poverty, for both yourself and your descendants.
获取大学学历不仅能改善个人经济状况；更多的是，它能对整个家庭做出贡献。那些受过更高教育的人通常能胜任更高福利的工作，包括健康、生活以及退休都会得到更好的照顾。通常来讲，他们的工作更有保障。收入更高的父母更有能力给孩子提供教育，增加孩子上大学并觅得好工作的可能性。无论对你还是你的后代，获取大学学历都是脱离贫困圈最好的方法之一。
