Reply to Instead of student loan forgiveness, why can’t we have this?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Totally hypothetical here, but…

What if all public colleges and universities had a “basic version” or “no-nonsense version” without all the fancy extras? I truly believe that higher education is a good thing, and being well-rounded and well informed as well as knowing how to think critically is important. It’s also supposed to be the great equalizer, the thing that levels the playing field. I hate how the cost of big-name schools automatically puts kids with rich parents at an advantage when choosing schools that offer more prestige and more connections and career placement opportunities. I also don’t think kids should be financially punished for going out of state. What if someone from a backwater red state wanted to move where jobs and opportunities are, or somewhere with more diversity?

Instead of these huge cost disparities, what if every prospective student had an option: expensive tuition and fees with all the bells and whistles, the fancy dining halls, the swimming pools and lounges, all the luxuries; and then a basic option that just pays for classes, simple dormitories (that have heat and a/c and meet health codes of course, but no other amenities), library access, a limited food stipend, and access to some common rooms for student-run extracurriculars? No crazy state-of-the-art facilities. What if someone just wants a rigorous education and career placement opportunities, but doesn’t want to pay for a four-year country club membership? [/quote]

That’s called community college and state school.[/quote]

Many CCs don't offer the degrees necessary to enter lots of professions. Many state schools have skyrocketing costs due in part to spending a ton on student life and administration in order to attract more applicants. And employers often view more expensive universities as better (whether private or public) even if the expense is paying for fancy dining halls and luxe dorms. And sometimes the education IS better, because the schools who are charging more and spending it on nice facilities and community can often attract better quality professors and better quality students, which is what makes a university strong in the first place.

We've really backed ourselves into a corner with college costs, and while I don't think OP has figured out the answer, I think they are asking the right questions. Getting a quality education that prepares you for a meaningful career should not bankrupt you. Smart, capable kids without the money or willingness to borrow should not be stuck in community college, which will greatly limit their opportunities -- there need to be better academic options available at an affordable price.[/quote]

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