Education Still Gets More Expensive

Penn State University announced a 5.9% hike in tuition costs for the upcoming school year. It boggles the mind how our schools of hire learning are able to get away with these hikes year after year after year. The cost of tuition at PSU will have more than doubled in nine years. I can't think of many more items that have doubled in price over that period of time.

The school president indicated that the factors for the increase include no increase in state money, a $30 million increase in salaries to maintain competitive, $23 million for rising health care and pension costs, $11.4 million for building maintenance, $10 million for new programs and $1 million for need based student aid.

The only factor on that list that I see as reasonable is the last one. $30 million in salary increases to remain competitive? The rest of the world is trying to find a job, yet our educators continue to thrive, just like our professional athletes. $23 million for rising health care and pension costs? Well, make the employees contribute a little more, not the students!

Every year a college education becomes less attainable for most students. And, the question is, is it really worthwhile? Ok, if you absolutely know what profession you want to be in when you are 18, and it requires continuing education, then a 4 year degree and masters or grad school may be warranted. If not, get an online degree and become an entrepreneur. That is where the big money is! A college education and graduate degree will simply saddle you with debt that will take years to pay off. And for what? Only 24% of the 2010 graduating class had a job lined up after graduation this year.

It is clear to me that college is becoming more and more of a rip off.