The US is approaching — if it hasn’t happend already — a crossroads in education. Is it something new? Take a look at this article.
The concept of “high tuition/high aid” as a policy for public higher education is frequently discussed as an option for four-year colleges, and especially for flagships. The theory goes that students are better off at universities that charge more so that they have more educational resources — and that the potential for lost access for low-income students can be prevented through generous student aid programs.
via News: Mulling Tuition Policy at Community Colleges – Inside Higher Ed.
If you didn’t catch it, check the date.
Have things changed?
How has the economic crisis (as cultural artifact) had an influence on education and/or technology?
April 6th, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I think things have changed somewhat. Thinking about some of the smaller liberal arts colleges throughout the state, generally known as better academic institutions, the tough economy has been tougher on them. I think more students are reconsidering community colleges and public universities. I also think that people in general should be looking at the amount of debt that some students are forced to carry in to life after graduation. I would guess that enrollment has dropped at the smaller institutions, leading to professor layoffs and some programs being cut back. I attended a small liberal arts school that now costs $28k per year. I enjoyed the personal attention that I could get when I had problems that I could not solve, but I believe that I could have received the same education and gotten the same value at a larger public university. What you put in to something is always what you get out.
April 7th, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I agree with what you said. I do feel that people are more concerned about getting more education just so they can make more money and thrive in today’s world. I think people are turning to more “less expensive” alternatives and schools in order to do this. Some are chosing community college and two year schools because it is easier on the wallet and even though they are not attending the “university” they are still improving their education and settling with what they can afford. It may not be the best they can get right now due to the circumstances, but it is going to be better for them in the end.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:56 PM
When I started in college I earned a scholarship from a local community college. However, I had already decided that I would enroll in the community college even without the scholarship. The cost at that time was much lower than the University and offered a transfer program that would allow me to take the equivalent courses I would need in the first 4 semesters of the program at the Unversity. This meant lower cost, low cost of living and/or low transportation cost. It also meant a smaller school with fewer distractions and lower student/instructor ratio. I was even able to take some classes beyond the initial transfer block for credit toward my degree, which also helped. I also continued to take courses there if needed to fulfil requirements of basic coureswork and was able to get course substitutions from the department head at the university to do so.
However, tuition increased yearly, and although I can not remember when it was, tutition went up one semester sharply. I remember in the news it was one of the biggest increases anywhere, at anytime at once. It gradually increases yearly and although I do not have a catalog I beleive it has near doubled since I enrolled there. That has been sometime and I do not have the data to compare, but the gap between community college tuition and the university has narrowed, even though both have increased, I beleive the community college tuition has increased at a higher percent. Again, I could be wrong I do not have any data, just going by memory.
If anything the narrowing of the gap hurts the community colleges. They may have more money but they also loose students. Enrollment has dropped at community colleges state wide. http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/534444.html
The reason many students choose to go to community college is lower cost, if that reason is taken away many will choose to go the larger university. When choosing to go to a community college I chose on the basis of cost, I did not choose on the basis of recognition of a big name school or the status of going to a larger school. I knew that I could get a good education at either place and the status that came along with a name or designation as a 4 year university did not come into play.
April 13th, 2009 at 7:32 PM
The cost of tutition to any college is an issue because it is not easy to get financial aid. Sure anyone can get money they have to pay back, but free aid is nearly impossible to get. I know people that got government assistance, but it is still not really enough to live on. One of the main reasons that I chose to go to Morehead was because I got a full scholarship. When I found out that I would get my education paid for there was no decision as to whether I would go somewhere else. I don’t think that more expensive colleges necessarily provide a better education. I think that most people are looking at what is affordable for them and community colleges can provide what students need. A lot of people go to community colleges for the first two years and then complete their degree at a univeristy. I think the economic crisis will perhaps increase enrollement at community colleges and universities. The economy is effecting schools nationwide, not just at the college level. It seems that when the budget is cut, technology is one of the first things that goes.