Which of the following best describes the opportunity cost of earning an advanced college degree?

• A. The value of textbooks purchased during the program
• B. The prestige associated with holding an advanced degree
• C. The income and work experience forgone while attending college
• D. The tuition fees paid to the college

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of opportunity cost. Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative foregone when making a decision.
2. Step 2: Identify all the costs associated with earning an advanced college degree, including direct costs (like tuition fees and textbooks) and indirect costs (like income and work experience forgone).
3. Step 3: Recognize that opportunity cost includes not only explicit monetary costs but also implicit costs, such as the income you give up by not working during the time spent in college.
4. Step 4: Evaluate each option given: textbooks and tuition are explicit costs, prestige is a benefit (not a cost), and income and work experience forgone represent implicit costs.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of opportunity cost here is the income and work experience forgone while attending college, as it captures the value of the next best alternative use of time and resources.