The decision of whether to go to college, or where, is hampered by poor information and inadequate understanding of the financial risks involved. Adding to the confusion, the same degree can cost dramatically different amounts for different people. A barrage of advertising offers us new degrees designed to lead to specific jobs, but we see no information on whether graduates ever get those jobs.

In Will College Pay Off?, Peter Cappelli, an acclaimed expert in employment trends, the workforce, and education, provides hard evidence that counters conventional wisdom and helps us make cost-effective choices. Among the issues Cappelli analyzes are:

• What the real link is between a college degree and a job that enables you to pay off the cost of college.
• Why the most expensive colleges may actually be the cheapest in the long run.
• How parents and students can find out what different colleges actually deliver to students and whether it is something that employers really want.

Insightful and informative, Will College Pay Off? helps students and parents make smart financial decisions and provides the foundation for students to succeed in the real world.