As the price of a college degree continues to rise, there's growing evidence that the monetary（货币的） payoff isn't quite as big as often advertised. The best estimate now is that a college degree is worth about $300,000 in today's dollars--nowhere near the million figure that is often quoted.
That million number has driven me crazy! says Sandy Baum, a Skidmore economist who studied the value of a college degree for the College Board last year.
Baum's research showed that college graduates earn, on average, about $20,000 a year more than those who finished their educations at high school. Add that up over a 40-year working life and the total differential is about $800,000, she figures. But since much of that bonus is earned many years from now, taking away the impact of inflation means that$800,000 in future dollars is worth only about $450,000 in today's dollars.
Then, if you remove the cost of a college degree--about ,$30,000 in tuition and books for students who get no aid and attend public in-state universities--and the money a student could have earned at a job instead of attending school, the real net value in today's dollars is somewhere in the $300,000 range, a number confirmed by other studies.
But, especially these days, that still makes a college degree one of the most lucrative investments a person can make, Baum notes.
Better yet, college graduates can go on to earn advanced degrees, which return even bigger payoffs. The average holder of a bachelor's degree earns about$51,000 a year, Baum calculates. But those who've gone on to earn MBAs, law degrees, or other professional degrees earn about $100,000 a year.
In addition, Baum found that there are plenty of other rewards for a degree. The quality of the jobs college graduates get is far better, for example. College graduates are more likely to get jobs with health insurance. And it is easier for them to find and hold jobs. The unemployment rate for college graduates was just 2.2 percent last year, half the unemployment level of those with only high school diplomas.
There are lots of other nonmonetary benefits as well. College graduates are healthier, contribute more to their munities, and raise kids who are better prepared academically, studies show.
Other researchers have found that the payoff of a degree is especially lucrative for students from low-ine families, since the education and degrees give them a chance to break out of low-paying careers.
【小题1】What can be inferred from Para 1 ? A．The payoff of a college degree is still big enough to match the advertised. B．It’s more and more difficult to get a college degree. C．The return of a college degree is less than often quoted. D．A college degree is worth about one million dollars.【小题2】Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “lucrative” in Para.5? A．attractive B．worthlessC．approachable D．balanced【小题3】How can a college graduate increase his or her yearly ine according to the passage?A．By getting jobs with health insurance immediately. B．By going on for higher degrees. C．By breaking out of low-paying jobs. D．By contributing more to his or her munity.【小题4】Which of the following statements can be learned from the text ?A． According to Baum's research, high school graduates earn more than those who have college degrees. B． College education is enough to ensure you a good life.C． Nonmonetary benefits from the degree attract students more than monetary ones.D．Students from low-ine families still think degrees are profitable to change their life.C
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(答案→)C
解析：
【小题1】C 段落大意题。根据第一段最后一句The best estimate now is that a college degree is worth about $300,000 in today's dollars--nowhere near the million figure that is often quoted. 说明文章第一段讲述的是大学的学位能挣的钱不如人们以前认为的多。故C正确。
【小题2】A 推理题。根据that still makes a college degree one of the most lucrative investments a person can make, Baum notes.说明仍然很有很多人把上大学当是最好的投资。故该词指吸引人的，有吸引力的。故A正确。
【小题3】B 推理题。根据第六段 Better yet, college graduates can go on to earn advanced degrees, which return even bigger payoffs. The average holder of a bachelor's degree earns about$51,000 a year, Baum calculates. But those who've gone on to earn MBAs, law degrees, or other professional degrees earn about $100,000 a year. 说明如果大学毕业生继续深造，取得更高的学历，那么他们会有更好的收入。故B正确。
【小题4】D 推理题。根据文章最后一段Other researchers have found that the payoff of a degree is especially lucrative for students from low-ine families, since the education and degrees give them a chance to break out of low-paying careers. 说明对于低收入家庭来说仍然认为读大学是改变生活的途径。故D正确。