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But money isn't everything, and sometimes the attainment of material wealth comes with an unequal portion of entanglements and responsibilities. When money is our sole motivation for attending college we really narrow not only our experience but also our expectations. This often sets us up for disappointment when we don't immediately get that expected salary right after graduation. Often students with this attitude get frustrated when they don't see "real world" applications for what they are learning. They tend to think that the only thing that matters in the "real world" is dollars and cents.

The current mess in this country's financial sector is a direct result of college-educated criminals who have infiltrated corporations, regulatory bodies, and elected offices. But it isn't just Wall Street, as Utah (and Utah Valley in particular) leads the nation white-collar crime. Again, you get the feeling that these folks went to school for the sole purpose of making more money. When greed is our motivation it becomes our occupation.

There are other, shall we say nonmonetary, reasons to get an education, and while sometimes they aren't as easy to quantify, they do provide tangible improvements throughout our lifetime. There is plenty of research out there that shows that college graduates tend to contribute more positively to society. College grads tend to vote and volunteer more often. They also live longer and happier lives (and not just because they make more money and thus have better access to health care).

But what I hope you get out of your time in school is a healthy respect for the complexity of the modern world and its issues. Political parties, advertisers, and the media love to put things in simple, black-and-white terms. It makes for a handy narrative when you can paint your side as good and the other side as evil. Couching issues in such stark relief makes the masses so much easier to market to, and ultimately control. Do you want to be so predictable that any politician or product can count on your unblinking devotion?

I hope the time you spend in the classroom provides you with a more nuanced outlook. Your views should be challenged. Your understanding should be more complex. Your actions should reflect your values while recognizing a vast diversity of thought. College is more meaningful when it isn't all about money.