...when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:46

You must pay the price of studying for those good grades in school.

You must pay the price of plowing for a soft soil in which to plant seed.

You must pay the price of diligence to cut the wheat all the way to the end of the row, not skipping some to get through faster.

You must willingly pay the price of suffering for Christ's sake if you want to keep the faith when opposed.

You must pay the price of putting yourself out to help another when God calls upon you to do it.

The price of wisdom is above rubies. Job 28:18

Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it? Proverb 17:16

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverb 31:10

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that has no money; you come too, buy, and eat; yes, come. Buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1
This wine is a reference to the Holy Spirit which enlivens and gives strength and joy. Scripture refers to the wine of the Spirit. See being born again and being baptized with the Holy Ghost.
The milk of the word is those things which God has done as a free gift in Christ. See Milk of the Word teaching. There are blessings from God for which Christ has paid the price. We receive those by grace of God's faith in our heart.

Then there are things like the crown of life, which we receive only after we endure the trial, the test, or the temptation. James 1:12 When we love God more than comfort, when we love Him more than the things of this present world, then we shall receive the crown of life. The price paid was our faithfulness during the testing of our faith.

Revelation 3:18 says "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white rainment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. The gold tried in the fire refers to our faith and the testing of our faith. The man in chains may find the truth of salvation in Christ and rejoice for a moment, but when he is released from prison, and has freedom to roam, where will he go? To the local bar for a woman of the night, or church and Bible study? Will he pay the price of giving up his previous acquaintances who led him into crime which put him in prison? Or will he accept again his old crowd that loves to do evil?

You say you want a degree for a good job? Pay the price of studying. Open the books and read and stay far from the bars, the tv, and dvd's, and parties and drugs. Attend church with others of like mind.
Birds of a feather flock together. Follow not a crowd to do evil.
When you perceive foolishness, depart from that company.
Cease to hear the words which cause one to err.
Choose your books wisely.
They that love pleasure shall come to no good results.
How shall a double-minded man receive anything of the Lord?