Going to college pays off, on average. But to maximize the chance that a college education offers a satisfactory return, students need to think like investors.

They need to carefully consider which degrees pay off and why, and they need to make informed decisions about the type of degree and major they select. Investors in financial markets consider many complex variables to mitigate risks and maximize returns. Investing in college is no different.

In a report on the value of college majors, the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University found that people who earn bachelor’s degrees and work full-time can expect to earn 84 percent more than their peers with a high school diploma over their lifetimes. It’s compelling evidence that a degree from a four-year institution is a good investment.

It is less well known whether community college degrees are worth the cost. Evidence on labor market returns from associate degrees can be hard to come by. Fortunately, that is changing with research by the Center for Analysis of Postsecondary Education and Employment, or CAPSEE.

Read the full article about whether college is worth the cost by Michael Lawrence Collins at The Hechinger Report.