If we want to compete with other nations, we need to make college affordable, and forgive most of the debt. Right now it's at 1.5 trillion (or thereabouts). That's money that isn't going back into the economy, isn't buying goods, isn't buying homes, cars, etc. Let's say you pay 3K a year in student loans (which is kind of on the low end). That's 3000 bucks one could spend on goods and services. The person (or business) you spend that money in, pays taxes on it. They also could then buy more stuff and that $ gets taxed to. And so on and so on. College shouldn't be free, BUT it shouldn't cost as much as a car. My nephew is going to school in California, and it's costing his parents 50K a year. They can afford it, but his education shouldn't cost them 50K a year for ONE year.
Also, the change needs to happen further down the line. Middle schools and High schools need to alter their aim from trying to guide all kids to college. They need to spend more time talking about the trades and exploring careers that don't require higher education. Not everyone needs to go to college to be successful. The other major change that needs to happen is stop telling kids that college is meant to be the best time of their lives. We have all these kids who feel like they need to go to college or they're missing out. Nobody should have to pay that much money to go have fun and learn about themselves. There are so many things wrong with how our society treats college. We have kids who go to school for four years, rack up a bunch of debt, and leave with a degree that won't get them any closer to an actual career after school.
So my daughter is finishing up her sophomore year of HS. She just sent out her first batch of emails to coaches and recruiters that she wants to play soccer for, hoping they show some interest in her. Some who responded, Gonzaga.... 63K a year, Santa Clara.... 75K a year.... and Pepperdine.....75k a year, Portland..... 65K REALLY HOPING SHE GETS A FULL RIDE!
Don't get me started on professors that write their own books and change things around every couple of years, forcing you to buy the brand new version instead of the used one. It was the biggest scam ever considering the content was 99% the same.
But those little costs add up. And if a college education is the goal, then lattes can wait until the future. When I was a kid, my dad used to say that if you save a nickel (back when it was worth something) instead of spending it on crap, it was a nickel (plus compound interest) you’d have in the future if you needed it. I used to roll my eyes every time but he was right. He and my mom scrimped on fricking EVERYTHING (except a Catholic education ironically enough) in order to build a self sustaining foundation for later in life when they really needed it. They didn’t take on debt they couldn’t afford. And they did not offer to pay for our college because they felt if we wanted it bad enough, we’d find a way to fund it ourselves. So we did. They had a lot of those nickels put by because of the choices they made. It all adds up and people need to prioritize just what their goals actually are……and pay for them themselves……
We need to model our education system on the Germans. At least as I understand it, they pretty much have it figured out by the beginning of high school (or their equivalent) which kids are on a technical track and which are on a college track. And then they funnel them in the direction to which they are most suited. I may have it wrong, and if so I hope our European posters will set me straight……
Tuition at portland state, just tuition, not books, housing, etc. is 10k per year. This isn't, choose lattes or choose an education. That's over 5 lattes a day, every single day! The expectation of, why not just work part time, even at a 15 dollar minimum wage, if they're working 30 hours a week every week of the year, that's 23k, BEFORE taxes. To fully pay for achool, and books. And hopefully be able to afford a place to live and food to eat. But yeah, if they sacrifice their lattes, it's doable!
How much is PSU? 2 of those are Jesuit schools, 1 is Catholic and 1 is Christian. Private Universities are pricy! Pepperdine is in Malibu, what do you expect bro
It took my wife ten years to pay off her's including masters. I paid mine off in about 4 years but I only had two years at PSU. Community College when I went was reasonable. My son went to Oregon & daughters (3) Western, we chipped in but it took them years to pay off. I have two other sons, one became a electricians helper, got into apprenticeship for 5 years and has been a journeyman for a number of years now. Another son National Guard and Warehouseman.
I generally agree. If we wipe out the debt now, but don't do anything about the problem, what happens? Logically, kids going to school in the future will assume their loans will eventually be cancelled, so they'll be more inclined to run up debt, not less. I don't know what the long-term solution is here, other than to reduce demand for college education and thus increase price competition. Or maybe in the future Americans will go to China for higher education. barfo
Parents need to have the discussion with their kids that college isn't the only avenue to carve out a career.
I agree with you. The cost/benefit has changed drastically. I'm a big fan of college - it was the best 9 years of my life - but it isn't infinitely valuable. barfo
I do have some regrets not graduating high school, while foregoing college/degree. But, it doesn't necessarily mean I'd trade back my resulting my career path for that sake.
I think you reach an age where you think "screw that, I'm not going back to school." though it's probably easier to have not gone to college 30-50 years ago than today, not that it's a 100% requirement today.
The only school I'm doing right now is what might be equivalent to a masters degree in commercial real estate. I just passed the first (of four) course, so basically just getting started. As listed below, it's a combination of schooling, sales, and final exam: Earning the CCIM Designation While the exact requirements vary among different membership types, there are certain commonalities among them all. Every candidate for the CCIM designation is required to complete an education component, pass the Comprehensive Exam, complete a membership application, and pay annual dues. All candidates except Fast Track members will also have to submit a Portfolio of Qualifying Experience for review. Education Component The education component of earning your CCIM designation is comprised of a four-course curriculum, an online ethics course, negotiation training, and elective courses from the Ward Center for Real Estate Studies. Your membership type will determine how many education requirements you'll need to fulfill. Visit the membership types page to learn about your specific requirements. Portfolio of Qualifying Experience To demonstrate their experience in commercial real estate, designation candidates must submit a portfolio of qualifying activities, transactions, projects, or work products. This portfolio can take one of three forms, depending on your level of experience and the type of work that will be included. Transactional portfolios must meet minimum volume requirements: Three (3) or more qualifying activities totaling $30 million or more; or Exactly ten (10) qualifying activities totaling $10 million or more; or Twenty (20) qualifying activities with no dollar volume requirement. Learn more about the portfolio requirements. Comprehensive Exam The Comprehensive Exam is a full-day exam testing your mastery of the concepts introduced in the core CCIM courses. It's preceded by the two-day Course Concepts Review, allowing designation candidates the opportunity to review the key topics that will be covered on the exam.
He got a prize - he has me as his son. And to be fair... my parents were fair and stepped up to the plate. They didn’t owe me anything. We made a deal and both sides honored it. But I’d like to think, through the ups and downs that any family goes through, I’ve done what I can to repay and be generous in my own right. And to me, that’s how it should work out.
