Why is college tuition constantly rising? Will tuition ever go back down to affordable levels?
These have been big questions for students and parents over the past years. A new report has the answers to the questions. There are two main things that affect the price of tuition, one is that the college spends more. That could mean paying faculty more, or building more sports arenas, or conducting more research, they then raise tuition to help cover the costs.
The second is that the college needs to ask students to pay more to fund current spending. If the government were to cut spending on local colleges the college usually raises tuition rather than cut spending within the college. “In some cases, such as at community colleges (which educate about half of the nation 's college students), tuition has risen while spending on classroom instruction has actually fallen. At public colleges especially, the current economic troubles will likely only accelerate the trend of rising prices and classroom cutbacks, says Jane Wellman, the author of the report. After analyzing income and spending statistics that nearly 2,000 colleges reported to the federal government, Wellman concludes: ‘Students are paying more and, arguably, getting less in the classroom.’ “ (Kim Clark) The biggest reason for rising college costs is recent cuts in state spending. …show more content…
“Between 1987 and 2012, government spending for colleges has declined from $8,497 to $5,906 per student.”
The second reason is rising costs. Many people say that the rising costs are due to the college giving their employees a higher salary. However, when measured, salaries for college professors has actually declined in recent years. What is rising costs is the overpayment of the administrators, the college presidents are being paid insane amounts. There is also the rising in spending on entertainment, colleges are competing to provide the best experience by improving dorms, dining halls and borrowing more money to spend on athletics. Now that we know some reasons as to why tuition is rising let’s talk about the affect it has on people. “Depression is a recurring disease among students, though one frequently overlooked. Students suffer in silence. With each added responsibility on a student’s shoulders, so increases the likelihood of depression.” (Izabella Santana) working low paying jobs, suffering with the costs of tuition, and the added stressful coursework puts a lot of pressure on a college student “More than 25 percent of college students have been diagnosed or treated for mental health conditions according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of mental health issues.” (Izabella Santana) “Students have a unique set of pressures to deal with,” Santa Ana College psychology professor Fernando Ortiz said. “A lot of students have jobs, other obligations, and are carrying full loads. With the stress of all that, it brings about a lot of self-reflection by having to live up to the expectations,” he added. Endless schoolwork, meeting deadlines, studying for tests and exams, extracurricular activities and jobs to help build a resume and pay off college tuition, and on top of all, a constant pressure to do well, graduate and in the end find a well-paying career. “All of the above often leads to great pressure, anxiety, and even mental health issues such as depression. But during last few decades, another source of stress was added to the list: student loans” A recent study says that “24-32- year-olds reported greater incidents of depression as results of high financial debt from college loan.” Which is no surprise due to the fact that most people who have to pay for college via student loans often have jobs and try to involve themselves in other extracurricular activities for scholarships and other ways to bring down the cost while college students who don’t have to pay have an opportunity to relax and have time for a more social life. In another study conducted by Public Agenda, “most dropouts leave college because they have trouble going to school while working to support themselves. The report pointed out among those who dropped out, nearly 6 in 10 got no help
These have been big questions for students and parents over the past years. A new report has the answers to the questions. There are two main things that affect the price of tuition, one is that the college spends more. That could mean paying faculty more, or building more sports arenas, or conducting more research, they then raise tuition to help cover the costs.
The second is that the college needs to ask students to pay more to fund current spending. If the government were to cut spending on local colleges the college usually raises tuition rather than cut spending within the college. “In some cases, such as at community colleges (which educate about half of the nation 's college students), tuition has risen while spending on classroom instruction has actually fallen. At public colleges especially, the current economic troubles will likely only accelerate the trend of rising prices and classroom cutbacks, says Jane Wellman, the author of the report. After analyzing income and spending statistics that nearly 2,000 colleges reported to the federal government, Wellman concludes: ‘Students are paying more and, arguably, getting less in the classroom.’ “ (Kim Clark) The biggest reason for rising college costs is recent cuts in state spending. …show more content…
“Between 1987 and 2012, government spending for colleges has declined from $8,497 to $5,906 per student.”
The second reason is rising costs. Many people say that the rising costs are due to the college giving their employees a higher salary. However, when measured, salaries for college professors has actually declined in recent years. What is rising costs is the overpayment of the administrators, the college presidents are being paid insane amounts. There is also the rising in spending on entertainment, colleges are competing to provide the best experience by improving dorms, dining halls and borrowing more money to spend on athletics. Now that we know some reasons as to why tuition is rising let’s talk about the affect it has on people. “Depression is a recurring disease among students, though one frequently overlooked. Students suffer in silence. With each added responsibility on a student’s shoulders, so increases the likelihood of depression.” (Izabella Santana) working low paying jobs, suffering with the costs of tuition, and the added stressful coursework puts a lot of pressure on a college student “More than 25 percent of college students have been diagnosed or treated for mental health conditions according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of mental health issues.” (Izabella Santana) “Students have a unique set of pressures to deal with,” Santa Ana College psychology professor Fernando Ortiz said. “A lot of students have jobs, other obligations, and are carrying full loads. With the stress of all that, it brings about a lot of self-reflection by having to live up to the expectations,” he added. Endless schoolwork, meeting deadlines, studying for tests and exams, extracurricular activities and jobs to help build a resume and pay off college tuition, and on top of all, a constant pressure to do well, graduate and in the end find a well-paying career. “All of the above often leads to great pressure, anxiety, and even mental health issues such as depression. But during last few decades, another source of stress was added to the list: student loans” A recent study says that “24-32- year-olds reported greater incidents of depression as results of high financial debt from college loan.” Which is no surprise due to the fact that most people who have to pay for college via student loans often have jobs and try to involve themselves in other extracurricular activities for scholarships and other ways to bring down the cost while college students who don’t have to pay have an opportunity to relax and have time for a more social life. In another study conducted by Public Agenda, “most dropouts leave college because they have trouble going to school while working to support themselves. The report pointed out among those who dropped out, nearly 6 in 10 got no help