Navigating the College-to-Career Pathway: The 10 Rules of Moving from Youth Dependency to Adult Economic Independence

Having a college credential has become both more valuable in the labor market and more expensive, with much of the burden falling directly on students and their families. Meanwhile, the postsecondary landscape has become increasingly complex. College tends to be a good investment, but it involves significant risk based on program of study, level of educational attainment, and occupation.

To differentiate among the myriad options on the postsecondary pathway, students and their families should be guided by these 10 rules of the college and career game. This research paper was published in partnership with the Postsecondary Value Commission.