College Costs Up 4.3 Percent

This--boys and girls--is the next bubble. Kids are paying more and more for less and less.

Would college costs keep rising in a poor economy, were it not for government there to bridge the gap between what kids are willing to pay, and what colleges can get away with charging?

Nope. But we think we're doing the kids a favor, by graduating them with $80,000+ in college loan debt.

And the education establishment is yet another protected Democratic Party class, that votes overwhelmingly libbie. Is Obama going to be tackling the education industry? How many years of inflation-beating price rises will it take before the Dumbos start hauling in college presidents, football coaches, and tenured professors, demanding price controls? Asking for accountability of all the public's dollars?

LMAO. As if.

We need college reform.

"private college"

I think you missed the "private" part. Why do you hate the private sector?

"Kids are paying more "

Uh, no they're not. Their parents are.

#4 | Posted by satansbeard
* * * *

Oh. The fallacy of "distinction without a difference". As if the parents are going to be paying off the student loans.

You're a libbie, aren't you?

What's the percentage of students at private, 35k a year colleges that are putting themselves through school? Now public colleges, that's a different story, and one reason California will have an ignominious future.

"private college"
I think you missed the "private" part. Why do you hate the private sector?

"Kids are paying more "

Uh, no they're not. Their parents are.

#4 | Posted by satansbeard

Guess my parents missed that memo.
MY parents are not.

Associates +Bachelors +Masters= $60k.

And that's a modest figure compared to some of my other friends who chose Private school over public.

Well hurray for you. But this thread is about Private Colleges.

Actually the thread is whatever posters want it to be about.

But you didn't read the article. Because the second paragraph is:

"Growing at an even greater rate was the cost of going to a public college. Public in-state college costs rose 5.9 percent, bringing the average cost to $15,213. Out-of-state students saw their costs rise 6 percent to $26,741, according to the College Board, a non-profit association of schools, colleges and universities. (All costs include tuition, fees and room and board.)"

* * * *

In an age of zero inflation, public college costs jumped nearly 6%.

What's the percentage of students at private, 35k a year colleges that are putting themselves through school?

I'm sure many of them are doing so via student loans that they will be paying back themselves. But even accepting your premise as true, why should it matter that parents instead of students are shouldering the obnoxious increases in tuition?

"Well hurray for you. But this thread is about Private Colleges."

Is there a "didn't read the article flag???"

Impossible since the administration has told the seniors they would get no COLA since there is not inflation.

There is no question that if you value education for our youth then you should be demanding reform. On what basis can these Universities defend these price increases....especially when many of them are blessed with $1 billion endowments on top of it.

Gee, I wonder how many bankruptcies are due to student loan debt?

Can we establish a threshold of $5,000 and fine out?

LOL

The universities are just like the banks. Certain "professionals" believe they should be entitled to many times the income of average people. As we busted unions we let professionals increase their incomes many times. A revaluation of labor is necessary and many "professions", were a real revaluation ever done would come up worth less than the income they now make.

UNC raises its tuition every year, and every year the new SBP and the staff of the Daily Tar Heel think they can do anything about it.

that's unforunate.... bigger loans... they go to companies... oh well. whatever. doesn't matter to me. but i say that kindly... cause i feel for all those who have to take out more $$$

I have 2 kids in universities right now and one wanted to quit because she was worried about the cost raises.

The democratic party and administration is pricing our young out of school.

The democratic party and administration is pricing our young out of school.

Bullshit. Costs have been going up at least since I started school in '01. There is no partisan slant to it at all.

Actually at several elite universities such as Stanford if you get in and your family makes less than $100k a year you get free tuition. Less than $60k they cover room, board and books. Harvard has a similar but slightly different program as do others

Basic thing is these universities are desperate for the best talent. If you get in and don't have the money there are lots of grants (free money) available. They already have to let in monkeys like Bush because they are children of alumni and need to balance the talent pool.

The problem is people like RightisRight are fucking morons who do not understand how the world works. Ignorance is not bliss for the rest of us.

Ness, I'm with you. I don't understand people like RIR and Moneywar making this into a partisan issue. Costs have been going through the roof for decades, no matter who's in charge in Washington. It's far more expensive now, inflation notwithstanding, to go to college than it was when I graduated in the 80s. What exactly is the Democratic Party's responsibility for this?

I'm as frustrated as you are, RIR, and you too, Eberly - the huge endowments, the salaries paid to presidents, coaches and even professors, the constant construction projects, the research dollars, etc. Obviously all those things are part of a university's quest for excellence, but it's all being carried on the backs of the students. At some point it becomes impossible to afford higher education. This has troubled me for years. I worked full time while also going to school full time. It was tough but I paid my way through college (and still had fun!) - obviously with help from mom and dad, plus a little grant money - and I was still paying loans 10 years later. I don't see how my kids will be able to do the same within 10 years. Our college investments have been very disappointing too. What's the solution?

What's the solution?

#20 | POSTED BY CBOB

Be able to run fast or jump high. Scholarships are waiting for anyone that can.

Actually at several elite universities such as Stanford if you get in and your family makes less than $100k a year you get free tuition. Less than $60k they cover room, board and books. Harvard has a similar but slightly different program as do others
So that covers about 200 kids per year. What about the other tens of thousands?

My kid goes to UGA on the Hope scholarship. It is available for any student that maintains a 3.0 avergage. Covers tuition for all state schools and for private schools provides a check for the amount of the state schools tuition.

It is supported by the lottery. The poor who play the game are paying for my kids education. Which I could afford to pay for. Too bad, but I will not give the money back.

Sen Zell Miller put this into place when he was gov.

Kids are paying more and more for less and less.

Would college costs keep rising in a poor economy, were it not for government there to bridge the gap between what kids are willing to pay, and what colleges can get away with charging?

Nope. But we think we're doing the kids a favor, by graduating them with $80,000+ in college loan debt.

#1 | Posted by rightisright

So what's your point? Are you expecting college tuition to stay static and NOT to rise with everything else?

Dream on...

Average Cost Of New Home

1930 $3,845.00
1940 $3,920.00
1950 $8,450.00
1960 $12,700.00
1970 $23,450.00
1980 $68,700.00
1990 $123,000.00
2008 $238,880.00

Average Wages

1930 $1,970.00
1940 $1,725.00
1950 $3,210.00
1960 $5,315.00
1970 $9,400.00
1980 $19,500.00
1990 $28,960.00
2008 $40,523.00

Average Cost of New Car

1930 $600.00
1940 $850.00
1950 $1,510.00
1960 $2,600.00
1970 $3,450.00
1980 $7,200.00
1990 $16,950.00
2008 $27,958.00

Average Cost Gallon Of gas

1930 10 cents
1940 11 cents
1950 18 cents
1960 25 cents
1970 36 cents
1980 $1.19
1990 $1.34
2009 $2.05

Average Cost Loaf of Bread

1930 9 cents
1940 10 cents
1950 12 cents
1960 22 cents
1970 25 cents
1980 50 cents
1990 70 cents
2008 $2.79

Average Cost 1lb Hamburger Meat

1930 12 cents
1940 20 cents
1950 30 cents
1960 45 cents
1970 70 cents
1980 99 cents
1990 89 cents
2009 $3.99

Source:

www.thepeoplehistory.com

The issue is when ever government gets involved to suplement the cost of something in order to make it affordable to someone would not otherwise be able to afford it, the free market is distorted. Those being payed the 'supplements' will then raise the cost knowing the government will continue to pay, and the additional cost are passed on to those receiving the supplements who still feel they are getting a 'good deal'.

#24 | Posted by midtowncowboy

Are you arguing that most have no business getting an education?

If we got rid of all grants then many doors would be closed to bright Americans who could not afford to pay. Community colleges are great for the first two years and affordable but the second 2 years grants will be needed.

Certain "professionals" believe they should be entitled to many times the income of average people. As we busted unions we let professionals increase their incomes many times. A revaluation of labor is necessary and many "professions", were a real revaluation ever done would come up worth less than the income they now make.

#14 | Posted by danni

Whatever the market will bear. Whatever the people are willing to pay.

Do you think men playing games are worth the multi-million dollar contracts they obtain?

Does an actor/actress really deserve getting paid 20, 30, 40 million dollars for making movie?

Does the voice of Bart Simpson deserve $250,000 per episode? (I wonder what that would come down to per word....)

"The universities are just like the banks. Certain "professionals" believe they should be entitled to many times the income of average people."

The median expected salary for a typical Professor - Liberal Arts in the United States is $77,179.

Source:

swz.salary.com

Seems reasonable to me.

I'm as frustrated as you are, RIR, and you too, Eberly - the huge endowments, the salaries paid to presidents, coaches and even professors, the constant construction projects, the research dollars, etc. Obviously all those things are part of a university's quest for excellence, but it's all being carried on the backs of the students.

Not really true. These huge coachs salaries are payed by boosters of the athletics programs. The students do not pay for capital expenditures like new buildings. The taxpayers foot that bill, at least at state institutions. Most research dollars are either goverment or corporate grants. But the students are footing the bill for the high salaries payed to professors who work very little relative to their compensation. Teaching 2-3 classes a semester/quarter is a joke. Maybe a 3-4 hour a day job, with summers off, 4 weeks at xmas...

Community colleges are great for the first two years and affordable but the second 2 years grants will be needed.

the community college near me is at record enrollment this year for that reason. people are simply unable to send their kids to a 4-year school as Freshmen.

I think Universities will continue this until there is significant backlash and their enrollment (and funding) is impacted to where they HAVE to cut back on prices.

At that point it would be nice to shed more light on salaries of professors (and really look at what they do for that income) and administration etc...

If Athletics are so successful financially then why doesn't that translate into a more reasonable increase in tuition for students?

I understand if this is what a private school wants to do (subject to what govt funding students get to attend these schools) but our PUBLIC schools should have more accountablity IMO

If Athletics are so successful financially then why doesn't that translate into a more reasonable increase in tuition for students?

In most institutions with successful athletic programs it does.

#28 - Yeah, I've heard all that about funding sources being separate, but I'm skeptical. But OK, assume it is true - why are tuition costs rising so fast? In Kentucky, where I live, college tuition has increased not 4.3 percent, but 9-10 percent a year, for at least a decade. My salary hasn't gone up that much, nor have most other costs. What's going on?

why? it is total horseshit.

It's not a right or left issue, it's a government issue.

If tomorrow the federal government decided that anyone who wanted a new set of living room furniture, but who couldn't afford it, could be given a government-guaranteed loan or a grant to make up the difference, you would see, immediately, that couches and recliners start to go up in price, at far greater than the rate of inflation. It's true for anything. It's not a question of who is sitting in the White House--as long as colleges can raise prices without consequence, they will. Duh. Why is a hammer at your ACE hardware store $11, but when the Air Force buys it, it's $40?

In an age of zero inflation, public college costs jumped nearly 6%.

#9 | Posted by rightisright

which is less than health insurance rate increases..but the right couldn't give a shit about that..

So what's your point? Are you expecting college tuition to stay static and NOT to rise with everything else?

Dream on...

ZOT

actually .. yes.the other items are requirements for survival in society a History degree that costs 35,000 dollars is not.

My salary hasn't gone up that much, nor have most other costs. What's going on?

#31 | Posted by cbob at 2009-10-21 09:06 AM | Reply

Because just like health care these are items that you need to survive. If you want to escape poverty you have to have a) a brilliant invention or b) a college education.

Colleges and Universities are now pricing their education so high that you are put into poverty by going there.

Tuition is a one factor, the other costs like books, labs and "user" fees are another money grab.

Amazing to me that people are making this a left or right issue. Where's the logic?

The college I went to about 20 years ago now costs over 200% of what it cost then. Salaries and cost of living have not risen at a comparable rate (though I don't believe that college's increase is out of keeping with the average increase).

It seems to me there are many factors, and I don't see how gov't is one of them. It's not as if gov't grants and loan caps have risen by that amount, too. That _might_ be a factor, but I've not yet seen an explanation that shows it's the defining factor (though I believe this came up here several months ago, and the same people, or similar people, offered the same sweeping commentaries).

Of course, rates rise--prices of all things rise--but should they rise this much, and how do we control increases? The point that education is a "ticket out" is an important one. If you can't afford the ticket, how do you get out?

#33 - I see your point, RIR. But if the government doesn't help, a lot of people who are in fact college material simply couldn't go. And our society, including our economy, pays a steep price for an undereducated populace.

How was Ireland able to offer "free" college education to its people?

#38 | Posted by cbob
* * * *

Because they don't, really. In Europe you're tracked at a very young age, to go either into technical school or to universities. A C student couldn't show up and try out Particle Physics, the way one can here.

Tenure shouldn't exist; the price disparity between community colleges and the University of Phoenix, for example, as opposed to traditional 4-year college programs can only be attributed either to (1) horrible cost management, (2) government promising to make up increases in tuition, and (3) both.

And, yes, college aid HAS risen as fast as the tuition increases, if you factor in college loans.

The market will fix it, though. Eventually even 18-year-old kids are smart enough to figure out that delaying work for 4 years, only to graduate into a $32,000 job with loans totaling $80,000 is stupid idea.

#39 | POSTED BY RIGHTISRIGHT

When that happens expect even more jobs to go to China and other Asian countries.

#40 - then it will be a good time for their refugees to return to their mother countries? We may then begin anew. j/k

It's interesting isn't it?
To make money, you have to pay large amounts of money to go to school.

And I can tell you, being 18 years old and signing the line to pay for college was the last thing I was worried about, and it probably should have been.

Thankfully I'm in a technical field that has higher potential to make money than my friends who all have English, Philosophy degrees.

I can only hope they will marry rich... cause with their loans, they are SCREWED!

A little perspective. I work at a University. Over the past decade our funding source (the state) has gone from 63% down to 22%. During that same time the tuition has increased significantly.

This is where fiscally conservative people should be excited. It is a low government subsidy and now a product purchased by the consumer --- by choice. So the rising tuition is directly related to the reduction of state support and the product is being moved to the consumer.

Just as an FYI, over the past five years, my raises have averaged out to about 2.5% per year. Yesterday, I was informed of a 6% reduction last year to cover the states behind. Well below the cost of inflation (and I make the same average as a high school teacher).

www.universityparent.com

purpleman,

good post to put it is perspective.

many states have cut funding significantly forcing tuition increases.

which is less than health insurance rate increases..but the right couldn't give a shit about that..

#34 | Posted by Legio at 2009-10-21 09:36 AM | Reply

I think what many on the right say is that the government created the mess and throwing more money at the mess will not fix it. But it is not about fixing anything, it is about control. Depdendency == Votes.

Sometimes ya gotta throw money at problems. Especially when they're money-related problems.

The Democratic party and this administration is at fault....period.

They scream and yell about education for our new economic society but price those who need that education out of the market.

Has the party or this administration done anything to help....nope, just raised the cost more.

"The market will fix it, though."

That's what we've heard for the past thirty years. The market has fixed what???

That sucks, can't wait for my daughter to graduate....

This--boys and girls--is the next bubble. Kids are paying more and more for less and less.

Ain't that the damn truth!!!

The increase must be due to all the money these universities lost due to bad endowment and foundation investment decisions.

by all means we should limit higher education to the wealthy and the elite and furyners. cause that is in the best interest of our nation.

and we wonder why we are falling behind in all things but killing people

Crap I've got 2 kids in college and I can't even afford one!

And the education establishment is yet another protected Democratic Party class, that votes overwhelmingly libbie.
#2 | Posted by rightisright at 2009-10-20 11:42 AM | Reply | Flag:

Here' we go again....another class-warfare attack on people who actually decided to get an education.....all while calling them 'stupid'.

I guess I'm a free-loading socialist because I got Uncle Sam to pay for my Degree.

I used my GI Bill and the 'COMMUNIST' state of Massachusetts rewards it's Veterans by letting anyone with the National Defense Ribbon attend any state school (UMASS in my case) free for life.

I was actually getting 600/month to attend classes.

I have 2 kids in universities right now and one wanted to quit because she was worried about the cost raises.

The democratic party and administration is pricing our young out of school.

#17 | Posted by moneywar at 2009-10-20 10:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

Well, I have a way she can get money for college and show her National Pride....

ARMY
NAVY,
AIR FORCE,
MARINES

.....what a great place....it's great plaaaaaace, to START!

Common,

sorry, but one is a senior and one is junior and wouldn't let them sign up for anything.

When we get our country back on track and respecting its people then maybe, but until then, not a chance.

I used my GI Bill and the 'COMMUNIST' state of Massachusetts rewards it's Veterans by letting anyone with the National Defense Ribbon attend any state school (UMASS in my case) free for life.

Wish all states thought like this.

I used my GI Bill and the 'COMMUNIST' state of Massachusetts rewards it's Veterans by letting anyone with the National Defense Ribbon attend any state school (UMASS in my case) free for life.

Wish all states thought like this.

Texas gives 150 free hours of state college to honorably discharged veterans through the Hazelwood act. This is on top of the GI bill, of course.

Joining the service was the best thing I did education wise. One year of electronic technical school (which I still use), the GI bill, and the Hazelwood act. This doesn't include the education I got traveling around the world. I learned things those 6 years that can't be taught in any school.

I pity these people I see saddled with student loan debt. I haven't paid a penny for school in my life.

Sorry, but one is a senior and one is junior and wouldn't let them sign up for anything.

How could you stop them? They are adults.