2 answers
Paula
Student
Clarksburg, Maryland
1
Question
Updated
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What makes higher education in modern America so expensive ?
I'm just interested in the societal and economic factors behind it.
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2 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1098
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Paula:
I have always told my students that the high cost of college is heavily driven by the extensive infrastructure of campus resources and the hidden costs of poor planning.
Rather than focusing strictly on macroeconomics, I have always attempted to explain the expenses from a practical student and institutional navigation standpoint. For example:
**The Cost of a "Microcosm" Environment
A modern college campus operates as a complex microcosm designed to mimic real-world infrastructure. When students pay tuition, they are not just paying for classroom lectures; they are financing an entire ecosystem of built-in amenities and staff, including:
Academic Supports: Broad libraries and specialized computer technology.
Operational Navigators: Campus security, parking infrastructure, and student housing logistics.
Personal Development Resources: Dedicated tutoring centers, career advising departments, and financial aid counseling offices.
Maintaining these multifaceted networks requires heavy institutional spending, which increases the baseline "sticker price" for attendees.
**Strategic Mistakes and Unplanned Credits
From an advisor's perspective, I can explain that college often becomes unnecessarily expensive for individuals due to a lack of strategic navigation, particularly when transferring from other schools.
The Transfer Trap: Many students transfer from community colleges, or other four year institutions, to four-year universities before actually completing their Associate's degree, or college credits that will transfer or be accepted by the other college.
The Cost of Lost Credits: When students transfer early without a formal Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), their credits frequently do not align with the university's General University Requirements (GUR), and as a result they will need to take more credits, which increases the cost.
Extending the Timeline: This mismanagement forces students to take extra classes to make up for the lost ground. I always stress that this adds significant time and burns through extra financial aid and resources.
**Advice to Mitigate Costs
To avoid overpaying, students need to map out their college journey logically. I always recommend utilizing college resources and pathways to clear general education blocks. And avoid taking unnecessary credits. Furthermore, students must proactively practice "Campus Navigation"—visiting financial aid offices and advisors early—to get the maximum value out of the resources they are paying for.
I have always told my students that the high cost of college is heavily driven by the extensive infrastructure of campus resources and the hidden costs of poor planning.
Rather than focusing strictly on macroeconomics, I have always attempted to explain the expenses from a practical student and institutional navigation standpoint. For example:
**The Cost of a "Microcosm" Environment
A modern college campus operates as a complex microcosm designed to mimic real-world infrastructure. When students pay tuition, they are not just paying for classroom lectures; they are financing an entire ecosystem of built-in amenities and staff, including:
Academic Supports: Broad libraries and specialized computer technology.
Operational Navigators: Campus security, parking infrastructure, and student housing logistics.
Personal Development Resources: Dedicated tutoring centers, career advising departments, and financial aid counseling offices.
Maintaining these multifaceted networks requires heavy institutional spending, which increases the baseline "sticker price" for attendees.
**Strategic Mistakes and Unplanned Credits
From an advisor's perspective, I can explain that college often becomes unnecessarily expensive for individuals due to a lack of strategic navigation, particularly when transferring from other schools.
The Transfer Trap: Many students transfer from community colleges, or other four year institutions, to four-year universities before actually completing their Associate's degree, or college credits that will transfer or be accepted by the other college.
The Cost of Lost Credits: When students transfer early without a formal Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), their credits frequently do not align with the university's General University Requirements (GUR), and as a result they will need to take more credits, which increases the cost.
Extending the Timeline: This mismanagement forces students to take extra classes to make up for the lost ground. I always stress that this adds significant time and burns through extra financial aid and resources.
**Advice to Mitigate Costs
To avoid overpaying, students need to map out their college journey logically. I always recommend utilizing college resources and pathways to clear general education blocks. And avoid taking unnecessary credits. Furthermore, students must proactively practice "Campus Navigation"—visiting financial aid offices and advisors early—to get the maximum value out of the resources they are paying for.
Greg Boyer
Lead Technical Business Manager
7
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Greg’s Answer
State and federal government subsidies for higher education have diminished significantly over the years. I'm not sure exactly when the trend started since I finished college 32 years ago. But not everyone pays the same price, there are still significant subsidies for lower income students and many scholarships available.