Is A College Education Beneficial?

[Tyler Johnson]

Hello Everyone, 

I am a 19 y/o Freshman in college, studying business and I wanted know if your college education has helped you in your REI investment careers? If you don't have a college education, do you think you would have benefited from the education, why or why not? I am considering transferring into a community college or state school and getting my real estate license while in school. I would utilize my license to gain a job in the field of real estate so that I am able to gain experience and save money to invest in my first flip or house hack.

Give me your thoughts, please!

[Kevin Siedlecki]

@Tyler Johnson. 

I like what @Rashad K. has to say. Since I didn't expect to go into real estate until my mid-20s, and I still work a full-time job I could only get with a college degree, I have a different perspective, but same answer: stay in school! 

A college education will help you in a lot of ways. Perhaps most importantly, with a college education, you can get a much better W2 job while you start out in real estate, making it easier for you to get loans and save up for down payments and reserves. 

As for the less tangible reasons, I am in my 30s now, and I wouldn't trade my college experience for any amount of money. It's not about the classes, but the friends and connections you make there, along with the proof (for yourself and future business partners) that you can stick to a long-term goal, and see it through to completion. It's great that you are getting started as an entrepreneur early. I think you can go to college, and enjoy the experience while you work on your investment career. 

Don't give up on school just to get a couple years ahead in your investing career. Do what you can while you're in school, and then get ready to really get going once you've graduated. Maybe buy a house near campus and rent rooms to your friends for the next three years, then move out and buy another one when you graduate. You have plenty of time to make a career in real estate, but only one chance to have a true college experience. Enjoy it!