The Value of Continuing Education

Overview & Synopsis

Higher education--and continuing education as one arm of that enterprise--is not just an economic engine; it contributes directly and in a multifaceted fashion to the common good. It generates and makes accessible a great deal of the knowledge that drives the economy; it helps develop an understanding of the society and the world for millions of students; and it helps develop the personal, social, and human competencies. In this article, the authors aim to summarize the economic value of higher education, especially since World War II and the GI Bill, at universities in the US in general and at the University of Wisconsin Extension (UWEX) system in particular. They discuss the value of an independent identity for continuing education as a significant asset in an organization's ability to contribute to economic and social development, and they describe the University of Wisconsin Extension. The authors conclude that in the last 25 years the perception of higher education shifted from public good to private investment, but they caution that the role that higher education plays in the society goes well beyond economic development, as it enhances the quality of life for society as well. (Contains 16 endnotes.)