4 answers
Keagan
Student
Rosemount, Minnesota
1
Question
Updated
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Why is college so important?
Why is college actually so expensive?
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4 answers
Jamesha Shaikh Salaam
SDET
4
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Jamesha’s Answer
Why is college so important?
College is important because it can open the door to more job opportunities, higher income, and greater career stability. In the U.S., adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher have higher employment rates than high school graduates, and bachelor’s degree holders earn significantly more on average. College also helps students build important skills like critical thinking, communication, independence, and problem-solving. On top of that, many future “good jobs” are expected to require a college degree, especially in professional and managerial careers.
Why is college actually so expensive?
College is expensive because running a college costs a lot. Schools have to pay faculty and staff, maintain buildings, invest in technology, provide student services, and cover rising costs from inflation. Public colleges have also faced reduced state funding over time, so more of the cost has been shifted to students and families. In addition, many colleges use a high-tuition, high-aid model, where the sticker price is set very high but many students receive grants or discounts, which can make college seem even more expensive and confusing. For 2025–26, the average published tuition and fees are about $11,950 at public four-year in-state colleges and $45,000 at private nonprofit four-year colleges.
College is important because it can open the door to more job opportunities, higher income, and greater career stability. In the U.S., adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher have higher employment rates than high school graduates, and bachelor’s degree holders earn significantly more on average. College also helps students build important skills like critical thinking, communication, independence, and problem-solving. On top of that, many future “good jobs” are expected to require a college degree, especially in professional and managerial careers.
Why is college actually so expensive?
College is expensive because running a college costs a lot. Schools have to pay faculty and staff, maintain buildings, invest in technology, provide student services, and cover rising costs from inflation. Public colleges have also faced reduced state funding over time, so more of the cost has been shifted to students and families. In addition, many colleges use a high-tuition, high-aid model, where the sticker price is set very high but many students receive grants or discounts, which can make college seem even more expensive and confusing. For 2025–26, the average published tuition and fees are about $11,950 at public four-year in-state colleges and $45,000 at private nonprofit four-year colleges.
Shamitha Chandan
2
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Shamitha’s Answer
College is important because it can open doors and shape growth, but its true value depends on how well it aligns with your ambitions, strengths, and circumstances.
Laura Turkienicz
Consultant
75
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hi Keagan! College is important because it provides specialized knowledge, improves critical thinking, and opens up better career opportunities. It helps with personal growth, networking, and often leads to higher earnings over time. However, it's not the only path to success and depends on individual goals.
Thank you, Laura for the advice.
Keagan
Jacques Henry
16
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jacques’s Answer
Why are you sitting there mistaking an expensive piece of paper for your own human intelligence?
College has become absurdly expensive simply because it is running as a commercial enterprise that trades on your anxiety. Society has systematically conditioned you to believe that if you do not possess a degree, you will not survive, and institutions exploit this fear by building multi-million dollar infrastructures and administrative machines to sell you security. You are paying astronomical prices to accumulate information that is already available to anyone with an internet connection!
If you go to college out of fear, you will end up with immense debt and a mind burdened by stress. A university degree cannot make you capable, it is you who must become capable. Use the institution merely as a simple tool, a playground to sharpen your mind, your focus, and your clarity. But never fall into the delusion that an expensive system is giving you your worth. If you bring absolute involvement and unshakeable clarity to whatever you do, no institution in the world can determine your destiny or limit your life.
College has become absurdly expensive simply because it is running as a commercial enterprise that trades on your anxiety. Society has systematically conditioned you to believe that if you do not possess a degree, you will not survive, and institutions exploit this fear by building multi-million dollar infrastructures and administrative machines to sell you security. You are paying astronomical prices to accumulate information that is already available to anyone with an internet connection!
If you go to college out of fear, you will end up with immense debt and a mind burdened by stress. A university degree cannot make you capable, it is you who must become capable. Use the institution merely as a simple tool, a playground to sharpen your mind, your focus, and your clarity. But never fall into the delusion that an expensive system is giving you your worth. If you bring absolute involvement and unshakeable clarity to whatever you do, no institution in the world can determine your destiny or limit your life.