America: The Land of the Not So Free

       

          The rising cost of college tuition is a huge avoidable mess. Other countries around the world seem to be able to avoid this issue, so what is it that America is doing wrong? Better yet, what is it that America could be doing in order to fix another one of it’s broken systems? To answer these questions, we must assess other countries and how they manage to provide higher education at low costs. After that, we have to figure out how America can begin to reflect that. This blog will discuss the possibility of success for lower tuition cost here in America if we follow the examples being set by other countries. 

          The average number of students at a public university in America is 6,365 according to this source which relates to the social area of the concept map (https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/colleges-with-the-most-undergraduates) and universities spend about 14,000 per student per year according to the following source which also relates to resources on the concept map, so their total cost is around $89,110,000 per year for a public 4 year school/university (https://www.luminafoundation.org/files/publications/issue_papers/College_Costs_and_Prices.pdf). This means that if universities have students pay around 16,000 per year, universities are making nearly 12.8 billion dollars in profit. With that profit being made, the cost of college can afford to be reduced by a few thousand. It isn’t a matter of whether or not it can be done, but how we are going to do it. 

          In the country Norway, students of public universities do not have to pay tuition no matter where they come from another country or live in-district. This is due to the Norwegian government knowing the importance of higher education for all people (https://www.studyinnorway.no/study-in-norway/tuition-fees). The previous source, which also relates to the resource area of the concept map, shows how in Norway the government fully sponsors college, but the catch is the fact that the cost of living is higher in Norway. This means, in order to reduce the college cost in America, the prices of everyday items will have to increase. This price increase on everyday items and services is a small sacrifice that can be made in order for thousands of students, who cannot afford it otherwise, to be able to get a higher form of education. 

          Another country that offers free higher education is Germany. This source, which belongs on the social part of the concept map, shows how Germany is able to provide higher education for free by increasing the taxes that citizens must pay (https://www.businessinsider.com/how-do-european-countries-afford-free-college-2017-4). Unfortunately, the thought of increasing taxes is in no way appealing to any taxpayer. Especially the ones who have been to college already and are now in debt or recovering from it due to their college expenses. Older people like this (in the picture to the right) who have already been through college have no concern for the younger generations. In an ideal society, older people would actually realize they only paid a small fraction of what we are required to pay now. If this epiphany occurs, getting people to agree to pay more in taxes would likely be easier.

In conclusion, the end goal is to significantly reduce the cost of college here in America. We know it can be done because other countries have done exactly that. Each of the previous sources show the money that goes into a university as well as the way other countries are able to manage that money. This proves that low to no cost college is very much possible if people are willing to make some minor sacrifices. This low cost system of things would dramatically change American’s lives for the better. Our current system leaves millions in debt while this new system would benefit all people financially in the long run.

 

 

Why is No One Worried About the Rising Costs of Higher Education?

When it comes to the cost of higher education, not many people care. The issue of rising college cost has been put on the back burner by politicians. The reason being is the fact that they have more important things to worry about. When I looked up bills related to higher education, only six popped up that have been passed, and of those six, none planned on reducing the cost. I think this issue is yet to be resolved because the people who are concerned with it have little to no representation in office. In order for this issue to become an issue for people who are not in college, people would have to care about it. If no one cares enough about an issue, it isn’t going to get solved. Without the concern of politicians, college cost are able to skyrocket with no consequences.

Why is College so Expensive?

        Its no secret that college costs an arm and a leg. The secret is in why it costs as much as it does. That’s no secret

Image result for college costseither, but you get the point. Student debt is rising at an alarming rate every year. This is due to people not having enough money to pay for their classes as well as housing and other expenses. As the prices for college rise, the means for paying for them stay the same.  There are many social and economic reasons for college costs rising at the rate that they are. In short, the three main reasons college is as expensive as it is now is due to people realizing how important furthering your education is, the student luxuries, as well as a decrease in government funding.

     America sadly has a “vicious cycle of supply and demand”.(https://www.businessinsider.com/why-is-college-so-expensive-2018-4) Supply and demand means the more something is wanted or needed by people, the more that thing will cost or increase in scarcity. Due to college being a newfound priority for many teens now, more money than ever is being spent at these schools. Many people who attend a higher learning institute are receiving some type of funding in order to attend. This funding either comes from their own pockets, student loans, or government funding. The funds from the government are given through financial aid. When it comes to financial aid, it is first come, first serve. This means that there is only so much money and when it runs out, that’s it. Since there are so many people now trying to attend some type of college, the late bloomers who don’t get their financial aid applications turned in, in a timely manner are stuck with no money to attend. The demand for college is rising so the supply of money that is available for people to attend is decreasing.

        Another reason that college is so expensive now is due to all of the student luxuries available. “The curdled indulgences of campus life: fancy dormitories, climbing walls, lazy rivers, dining halls with open-fire-pit grills [and] most of all—college sports” (https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/09/why-is-college-so-expensive-in-america/569884/) are robbing students blind. Even though not all schools offer the same amenities, these amenities are what racks up the cost of tuition. The campus officials want their students to be as comfortable as they can possible be, just not for free. The comforts and extra appliances like computers and other things all cost money. Since the campus officials aren’t caring enough to pay for student’s comfort, the student must pay for it.

The last point I plan on talking about is the decrease in government funding when it comes to colleges. Higher education has been put on the back burner by the government. “States have collectively scaled back their annual higher education funding by $9 billion during” (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/most-americans-dont-realize-state-funding-for-higher-ed-fell-by-billions) the last 10 years. Due to them spending less money on education, students are forced to pay more tuition. “Forty-four percent [of Americans] think government-funded grants and loans have failed to keep up with the price of tuition” (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/most-americans-dont-realize-state-funding-for-higher-ed-fell-by-billions) which says a lot. Almost half of American agree that the government has not increased their funding to match the increase in tuition.

In conclusion, America has got to do better. Either the cost of college needs to stop increasing, or government funding is gonna have to learn how to keep up. I’m not going to discourage anyone from going to college or continuing their education in some form so the problem lies with the funding. Presidents of colleges should find a way to accommodate all of their new students by getting more funding from the government and any other sources. Since college is such an important staple to life in America, we, as Americans, should collectively find a way to make college more accessible for people.