Call me a snob if you want but I am very picky when it comes to the guys that I date and I have very specific criteria that they have to meet before I’ll even consider going on a date. One of the things I that I require is that a guy has a college degree or better. Before you roll your eyes my way, let me explain! Here is why:
- It shows that he values higher education like I do. I know that not everyone is cut-out for a college degree after and I do not wish to disparage anyone who did not take that path. I know many people who are successful without a higher degree. However, I value higher education and really believe that it is important for personal and professional growth. If a guy has a higher degree than it is likely that he knows what it’s like to spend hours in the library researching for a paper, studying for exams that make or break your GPA, the excitement of sharing and learning from professors and classmates on any given topic. I prefer a partner who values learning and education particularly because I do.
- A highly educated man is just really sexy. I love a man who can out book smart me, teach me new things and share my love for deep, intellectual academic learning. Honestly, it’s just really sexy to me because I feel like there is so much that I can learn from him.
- I have multiple degrees and I want someone who can understand that. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am professionally in my life. Part of that work has required me to meet certain educational criteria. I’m really proud of those achievements but it hasn’t been easy for me to do. It’s important for me to be with someone who can relate to the time and effort that I’ve put into obtaining my degrees because he has done it himself, at least once.
- It’s not all about the money. So, I am very aware of the fact that many college educated people often earn less than non-college educated people depending on what kind of work they do. But, if you think that it’s all about the money for me it’s not. Sure, I want my guy to make a really good living too but I prefer the education over a high paycheck.
- We don’t need to be in the same tax bracket, but we both need to be professionals. Along the same lines, I need a guy who has a higher degree because it is important to me that I date another professional. Often times, if someone has a college degree or better he tends to have a professional job. He doesn’t have to make as much money as me or even be in the same field as me, but it does matter that he understands the demands of my career because he has them too.
- Entrepreneurs are the only exception. I have a ton of respect for people who drop out of college or decide not to go to college to chase a dream that they pour their heart and soul into making a reality. To me, that is just as attractive as someone who works really hard to get a higher degree. In both types of people, I think there is a baseline ambition and desire to crush goals that I can identify with and see in myself as well.
- I’ve tried dating men without degrees and we just didn’t mesh. I’ve been open to it before but I found that some men didn’t respect the fact that I was an educated woman. Some guys assumed that I thought I was better than them and other guys tried to diminish my achievements by making fun of me for them because they were insecure about dating a highly educated woman. I just don’t have the time for that degree-shaming nonsense anymore.
- It’s one way he can show his work ethic. Highly educated dudes are not the only men with work ethic, I know that. But if a man has work ethic, one way it can be demonstrated is by working hard and getting his degree. So many people these days are having to put themselves through school by their own account and on their own dime. So many people have to work full-time and go to school full-time, including me. I am super attracted to a man who has done both to ensure that he gets his education and also gets his money straight. It shows that both things are possible if you have the work ethic to get it all done.
- Studies say that college educated adults are more likely to be married. Research says that the more education you have the more likely you are to be married. As a woman who really wants to be married one day, this is super important to me. The research suggests that it may have to do with the fact that college educated adults get married later in life because they are occupied with school earlier in life and are in a better position financially to be married later on. Personally, I feel like it also is true that you also might know what you want when you’re older and have dedicated a large part of your twenties to focus on your education. Bottom line, I’m convinced and I’m staying with the educated dudes.
