College May Become Unaffordable for Most in U.S.

Quote from x2012:

Yes I agree that there is no free lunch but input costs are different. As a European studying in America I can attest to that. In the U.S, you end up taking so many useless classes that it is unbelievable.
As a chemistry/biology major, what on earth do I need jazz appreciation and history for in order to graduate? Whereas in many European countries, like the U.K, you take the classes you need and graduate. I have friends who graduate in 3 years or less with the same degrees that you get in the U.S in 4-5 years. Take med school as an example. Postgrad in the US, under grad in the U.K. Difference: saves a few years and a lot of $$

Now don't reply back saying "oh its to get a well rounded education". With that logic in mind that would mean that European students aren't that well rounded when I find that quite the opposite is true.

Thank you for a very informative post. Very interesting.
The supposed purpose of a 'well rounded education' in a democracy is to continual the ongoing Conversation that makes a society examine itself and vibrant. - - Seems to me that we should encourage critical thinking and creativity from an early age,and an understanding of what it means to be a citizen. As a kid, in Arizona we had to pass a test in history and civics in order to graduate on to junior high school. (I have no idea if this is a state requirement down there now.) - - - Seems that we could invest in good ole' sets of "The Great Books of the Western World", set up discussion groups - - and have far more well rounded students for a lot less money & time than is being spent today. (In addition, students seemed to be more enthusiastic and engaged in such a program, and better see the relevance of these topics to their own lives.) - - Perhaps universities will be forced to look at innovative thinking and at what is being done in Europe and other places in around the world for a new educational paradigm. Regards, - - -
 
Which is the "easier" answer to rising demand for higher education:

1.) Build new schools/classrooms, hire more professors.

2.) Raise tuition knowing that govt will help subdisize with low int loans and grants.

The correct answer does not require a college degree
:D
 
Quote from x2012:

"... Take med school as an example. Postgrad in the US, under grad in the U.K. Difference: saves a few years and a lot of $$

What? They take an 18 yr. old into medical school?

You're kidding... ??
 
Quote from libertad:

Internet based education.....

Gotta happen....


Gonna happen.....

Holographic classrooms in 50 years or we just have our chip updated from time to time.
 
Quote from Sam Mcgee:

The five years of time can be five years of lost earning power at say $50,000 per year= $250,000. The total cost of a university education could therefore be said to be somewhere around $350,000.


Where can you get a $50k job without a college degree? Detroit and trading don't count. :D
 
Remember this.....

This is not a discussion about a negative event....

................................................................

If one viewed the creativity and innovation of
a proper cross segment per 1000 individuals....

Who were given a level educational playing field....

Yeah it is possble .....not to have to "go off to college"....

The college....and willing people are close by....and augmented
by the best there is in the world....

Any willing individual can afford.......the main cost being committment and time.......not money......

.....................................................................

And from the same group....on a relative basis....productivity
and innovation increases many times ....versus what once was.....

......................................................................

The seeds have been planted....and the plant is going to grow.....

.....................................................................

Structural change has to occur in every segment of the US Economy.....

Education is one of them......
 
Quote from gnome:

What? They take an 18 yr. old into medical school?

You're kidding... ??

Indeed they do. Of course, you don't start clinical work until the age of 21 I believe.
Source: My brother who just started training to become a doctor in the UK.

Shocker isn't it? Since the UK government pays for a lot of your education, it really is in their best interest to make sure you get in and out of the system as soon as possible and start paying them back (with taxes etc...)

Same applies for Law school. You start law school at the age of 18. It is an under-grad degree. You finish by the time you are 21.

If you don't believe me, check out this link to Oxford university. It shows a list of undergraduate courses available. You'll see Law and Medicine

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html
 
Quote from marketsurfer:

impossible for the college to become "unaffordable".

markets simply don't work this way.

price will adjust based on supply/demand.


surf

Yes. It will be.

Just a lot fewer colleges ... that's all.
 
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