5 answers
Sonya
Student
High Point, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
726 views
Why is college so expensive nowadays? #Spring23
For example, Appalachian State University is 23k and change, but GTCC is only 2 grand at max for a four-year education. I understand the latter is more geared toward two-year degrees, but both are in-state and both are colleges. Do the demographics in recent years matter in the equation of cost, or is it simply size and convenience? #Spring23
Login to comment
5 answers
Bailey BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC
Registered Nurse
76
Answers
Updated
Bailey’s Answer
I recommend doing as many classes at a community college as you can. I saved so much money by going to a community college first. I also had some friends work at the college they were attending for additional discounts.
gabriel bernadettshapiro
AI research
7
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
gabriel’s Answer
Great question. Universities and Colleges are in the business of making money - they offer different perks to students to try and attract them to spend four years and a small fortune on their education.
With the widespread availability of information and now the development of AI to help tutor you through the basics before you gain mastery of an issue the biggest determination of your educational success is you and your dedication. To that end you should pursue whatever education will set you up in a position to be a dedicated student - you'll need to put time into finding mentors and other like-minded individuals along the way to work with, but the result will set you up better than going into debt to pay to read the same books and take the same courses. If you do need connections to achieve success in your career (and a lot of careers do depend on who you know), then you will need to find spaces to connect with people.
With the widespread availability of information and now the development of AI to help tutor you through the basics before you gain mastery of an issue the biggest determination of your educational success is you and your dedication. To that end you should pursue whatever education will set you up in a position to be a dedicated student - you'll need to put time into finding mentors and other like-minded individuals along the way to work with, but the result will set you up better than going into debt to pay to read the same books and take the same courses. If you do need connections to achieve success in your career (and a lot of careers do depend on who you know), then you will need to find spaces to connect with people.
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
118
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
My answer is going to sound depressing but it really is the truth. The college administrators are the people in control of whatever college you decide to go to- if it's in state then maybe the administrators work with a broader administration team for the entire state system of Universities. These higher ups treat college as one thing- a business. They want money, they want attention, and they want it in the easiest way they can get it. A lot of professors care about your education but you'll see those professors going out of their way and adding extra hours to their workload to help you. This is because they are being overworked so that the college can "save money" and keep it in the higher up's pockets. The professors (many of them at least if not all) are under paid, over worked, and continue to have more put on their plate. The money is going to the sports programs, the president and chancellor of the university and their workers and assistants.
That is why college is so expensive and that is why it seems like colleges don't care about your education. You are the product, and yet you need a degree in order to make enough money to live.
I'm very sorry for the depressing nature of this answer. I am not saying to not go to college, quite the opposite. I'm saying that the "best colleges" are also the most expensive. It doesn't matter what college you go to- it matters who the professors are who are teaching you and if you like working with them. That's it. That's all you have to look for. Go to the school that fits your budget AND your needs.
Hope this helps.
That is why college is so expensive and that is why it seems like colleges don't care about your education. You are the product, and yet you need a degree in order to make enough money to live.
I'm very sorry for the depressing nature of this answer. I am not saying to not go to college, quite the opposite. I'm saying that the "best colleges" are also the most expensive. It doesn't matter what college you go to- it matters who the professors are who are teaching you and if you like working with them. That's it. That's all you have to look for. Go to the school that fits your budget AND your needs.
Hope this helps.
Lora Bartlett
Administration
15
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Lora’s Answer
Sonya,
Just a side note: the really expensive schools almost always have large endowments. That means, there is more money available for financial aid and for scholarships. Definitely reach out to the financial aid office at whatever schools you apply to and determine how you can offset the costs of a higher education. I know this is effective - my nephew went to Princeton and graduated completely debt-free!
Just a side note: the really expensive schools almost always have large endowments. That means, there is more money available for financial aid and for scholarships. Definitely reach out to the financial aid office at whatever schools you apply to and determine how you can offset the costs of a higher education. I know this is effective - my nephew went to Princeton and graduated completely debt-free!
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
178
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
This is a very good question.
The tuition for my first semester at the University of Hawaii is $80. Yes, your eyesight is perfectly fine. It was $80, indeed. It was 1971. My only complaint is that I had to pay another $5 activity fee to see all the losing football games by our home team!
The answer to your question can be complex. I would refer you to the following sources for your question:
https://www.thebalancemoney.com/why-is-college-so-expensive-5191664
https://www.forbes.com/sites/prestoncooper2/2020/08/31/a-new-study-investigates-why-college-tuition-is-so-expensive/
The tuition for my first semester at the University of Hawaii is $80. Yes, your eyesight is perfectly fine. It was $80, indeed. It was 1971. My only complaint is that I had to pay another $5 activity fee to see all the losing football games by our home team!
The answer to your question can be complex. I would refer you to the following sources for your question:
https://www.thebalancemoney.com/why-is-college-so-expensive-5191664
https://www.forbes.com/sites/prestoncooper2/2020/08/31/a-new-study-investigates-why-college-tuition-is-so-expensive/