Possible Explanation of Why College Tuition Has Soared

One of the elements of lots of family’s budgets is college tuition.

Without looking up the statistics, tuition has far outpaced increases in the general Consumer Price Index.

Today in the Chicago Tribune Ron Grossman offers a reason why:

“There has been a flight from the classroom by professors more interested in research and scholarship. So universities have had to invest a new job category–‘non-tenure-track’ faculty–the ivory tower’s versio of ‘Kelly girls.’ Now three-quarters of all college instructors, those ‘non-tenure-track’ faculty members are paid a pittance, but all those pittances add up. So tuition checks pay for two faculties–those who teach and those who increasingly don’t.

“Little wonder, the cost of college escalates and student debts become unbearable.

“So what should [Education Secretary Arne] Duca have told those academics: ‘Cut the crap. Get back to work.'”


Comments

Possible Explanation of Why College Tuition Has Soared — 2 Comments

  1. I would say the ease and availability of federally subsidized student loans. I bet those have dried up over the last few years…

    In the era of cheap money, colleges raised tuition because they could.

  2. A quick internet search brought this info,

    “Yet, the main reason tuition continues to rise is a dramatic change that took place regarding the Federal Stafford Loan more than a decade ago. When Uncle Sam opened the floodgates to government-backed student loans without parent income restrictions in 1992, colleges welcomed the news with open arms. The sudden injection of millions of additional aid dollars only furthered tuition increases. Add to that the government’s continued promotion of the Stafford Loan as a low-cost program, and you have the formula for hyperinflationary costs.”

    Ron Grossman’s “article” just seems like a pointless rant at college professors – a favorite target of Republicans. Why do Republicans hate educated people so much?

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