Effects Of Rising College Tuition

The Burden of Rising College Tuition

Imagine college as if it was the culmination of a life-long dream. The ideal scenario involves high school students continuing on to the college of their choice with no troubles or college debt thereafter. While there, they focus only on their education with hopes of achieving the ultimate 4.0 GPA. This manifested example continues with hopes of numerous job opportunities awaiting all graduates. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many hopeful college students. Instead, their time is split juggling school and employment responsibilities in order to just fulfill the staggering costs associated with a college education. Rising college tuition costs affect prospective students as well as graduates by

While college is a lofty goal for many, escalating tuition costs threaten the enrollment of lower income students. Obtaining a college degree is a major accomplishment, but can be quite hard to achieve. Jennifer Washburn, a fellow at the New America Foundation, confirms, “In 1979 students from the richest 25 percent of American homes were four times as likely to attend college as those from the poorest 25 percent; by 1994 they were ten times as likely” (140). If college costs become too expensive, students will just circumvent college altogether. High school graduates will opt to pursue employment opportunities instead of obtaining a higher education. Consequently, the United States becomes less technologically competitive when higher education is minimized. Therefore, the rise in college tuition is hurting the country just as much as the individual. Moreover, students who fail to acquire a college degree may find themselves with less promising futures because of the growing demand to hire college graduates. For example, the most enthusiastic applicant, who may otherwise meet all the other employment qualifications,

After a minimum of four years of college attendance, loan-debt will be immeasurable by the end. Debt will add up rapidly. In conjunction with tuition expenditures are the costs of fees, books, and living expenses which also hinder the allotted amount only budgeted for the price of tuition. In addition, loan-debt restricts potential, future purchases. Students may also have poor credit scores as a result of unpaid loans. Thus, the goal of owning a home becomes highly unlikely for students until the student loan debt is reduced or even satisfied. Inevitably, students who have loan-debt are negatively affected by “living paycheck to paycheck” (“The Impact”). Additionally, students who find themselves smothered by debt will also postpone major life events. One such momentous example is the delaying of marriage because of the costs associated with a wedding. This major event should not be hindered due to debt from receiving an education. Students also prolong having children due to the extensive costs accompanied by this significant event. Loan-debt, however, should not be a deciding factor on whether or not a student commences a family. While the initial debt may be incurred earlier in students’ lives, they are negatively affected both short and long term due to college