Why college/university is so expensive in the USA

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the high costs associated with college and university education in the USA, particularly focusing on the expenses related to dormitory living, tuition, and the financial implications of pursuing higher education. Participants share personal experiences and observations regarding living arrangements, financial burdens, and the perceived value of education.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Personal experience sharing

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reflect on their dormitory experiences, noting how modern dorms offer amenities that were not available in the past, which may contribute to higher costs.
  • Others express surprise at the expense of dorm living compared to off-campus options, suggesting that living in dorms may not be financially sensible.
  • One participant mentions that their daughter has a private living arrangement that seems to be included in tuition, raising questions about how such costs are managed.
  • Concerns are raised about the financial burden of student loans and the potential for universities to profit from student debt, with some suggesting a need for investigation into university financial practices.
  • There is discussion about the job market for graduates, particularly in fields like science, with some participants questioning the value of pursuing graduate education given the current economic climate.
  • One participant shares their personal dilemma about attending graduate school primarily for health care access rather than job prospects, highlighting the complexities of educational decisions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with some agreeing that living off-campus can be cheaper, while others note that this is not universally true and that many colleges require freshmen to live on campus. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall value and financial implications of higher education.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about living costs, university policies, and the job market, which may not be universally applicable. There are also references to specific articles that provide additional context but do not resolve the ongoing debate.

  • #31
Why is tution skyrocketing ? Too many people.

When I was a first year engineering student, the tuition was around 9k. I saw way too many people getting into engineering without knowing what they wanted to do. They just wanted the prestige and the money but they didn't even know if they had the innovation required to solve real world problems.

People are being led to believe that you need to become a CEO, accountant, lawyer, doctor or an engineer in order to be deemed "worthy" in society and live a "good" life. Hence, a lot of people blindly enroll in university and the prices skyrocket.
 
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  • #32
People are being led to believe that you need to become a CEO, accountant, lawyer, doctor or an engineer in order to be deemed "worthy" in society and live a "good" life. Hence, a lot of people blindly enroll in university and the prices skyrocket.

Don't prices generally fall when there is a lot of something? Why would the masses enrolling make the price go up if they have to pay for it themselves?
 
  • #33
Zryn said:
Don't prices generally fall when there is a lot of something? Why would the masses enrolling make the price go up if they have to pay for it themselves?

Depends how you see the student. Is the student the supply or the demand?
 
  • #34
CheckMate said:
People are being led to believe that you need to become a CEO, accountant, lawyer, doctor or an engineer in order to be deemed "worthy" in society and live a "good" life. Hence, a lot of people blindly enroll in university and the prices skyrocket.

Good point. When demand increases, prices do too.

Zryn said:
Don't prices generally fall when there is a lot of something?

Only where there's a lot of supply. When there is a lot of demand, prices rise.