Just why have college/university costs been going up at such rates for so long?
In my time, the federal government was heaping reporting requirements on schools that took federal money. I am sure that the government devil is still in the mix, but what about other costs? Does every stinking school need to be a research center? What about just teaching? What about divisions 1 and 2 sports. For most schools, they are not money makers, which almost always means the extra burden goes right to the students. But that does not explain costs at schools in other divisions or without sports programs. Could it also be that decades of third party payments have warped them into the same sort of beast as healthcare? I don't know. I am asking. Smart-*** answers welcome because I need some relief.
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5 Answers to "Just why have college/university costs been going up at such rates for so long?"
Posted by solowing May 13th, 2012 at 10:36PM
I think you're onto the answer. The combination of massive parental assistance (a self-perpetuating cycle, because college tuition is now impossible to pay from the cashflow with an entry-level job) and easy student loans (guaranteed by you, the taxpayer) has served to detach college expenses from the students (most of them, anyway) making the decision whether to attend or not. So, we have things like students expecting palace-like dorms, recreation centers, free taxis, etc.
Personally, I was fortunate enough to earn the grades and test scores to get a scholarship that covers all in-state tuition. Even then, the costs are high. First year students are required to live in a dorm and purchase a meal plan, so there went $5000 (to live in a dump and get kicked out every break/summer, while I now pay roughly the same for a 12 month lease on a modest but much nicer apartment) and $3200 (for crap, unhealthy food) respectively. Parking permits range from $150 (to park a mile from class) to $450 (parking deck close by) Every semester will bring about $2-300 in bogus fees, a mandatory $300 purchase in "dining dollars" redeemable only at campus food courts or Domino's Pizza, and books will run about $150 a class, on average (They tend to be cheap for humanities classes, and expensive for math, science, and business courses.). If I had to pay tuition, there's no way I could do it without racking up $10K a year in debt, and even as things are, I may wind up needing a short term loan this fall of about $1200 (I deliver pizza at an SEC football school, so the money is very seasonal. I rake in money during fall, but the summer before is a time of financial famine.).
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Reply by TheSquirrel May 14th, 2012 at 11:14AM
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Posted by originalmadman May 13th, 2012 at 4:16PM
Because young people, for the most part have great distaste for real work and getting thier hands dirty.
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Reply by TheSquirrel May 13th, 2012 at 4:17PM
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Reply by originalmadman May 13th, 2012 at 4:28PM
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Posted by Janife May 13th, 2012 at 3:57PM
Increase the cost of Education, only the rich can afford to study, They keep the poor people down, this is helping the New World Order to achieve its goals. Only the rich and the elite. In Germany students don't have to pay to study except a small registration fee. England is a rip off with University fees, far too expensive and if you are a foreign student it is even more expensive. That is discrimination. I strongly believe that everyone (rich or poor) should have the chance to study and better themselves. I come from a "working class" family and could also not afford to go to university. But thanks to Germany I got a good Education and trained at a college here. And didn't have to pay for it. The Education system here seems better. At least from the financial point of view.
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Reply by TheSquirrel May 13th, 2012 at 4:08PM
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Reply by Janife May 13th, 2012 at 4:18PM
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Posted by paclark May 13th, 2012 at 3:44PM
When I was in college tuition was cheaper. There were subsidies by taxpayers. However, while I was going through school, the rate continued to go up every year. Then when the tech bubble burst in the early 2000's it went up even faster. I think what we had was a system where the rise of inflation was being offset by the taxpayers. The problem we have now, is the govt, both federal and state, are running high defecits. They can't afford the same burden and they can't keep raising taxes to sustain the levels of subsidies. Universties want to offer competitve pay for staff and programs to attract students but that comes at a cost. The UC system is a perfect example of that. They have to find people willing to pay and all to often are looking for Chinese families with money to pay for school to fill the gaps.
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Reply by TheSquirrel May 13th, 2012 at 3:59PM
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Reply by paclark May 13th, 2012 at 4:30PM
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Posted by sharpTresHombre May 13th, 2012 at 3:40PM
education is only for the rich...
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Reply by TheSquirrel May 13th, 2012 at 4:00PM
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Reply by sharpTresHombre May 13th, 2012 at 4:07PM
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