Education. They've been in control of education for decades, and the result? An expensive lesson that you can't really fight the laws of economics.

http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/20...on-in.html

So, how's that free college for everyone in Mich gonna work?

Sort of related - did you see this article in the Atlantic?

It's cheaper to go to Harvard than a Cal State or a UC. The skinny: Family of four with income of $130K, with "typical aid," will pay $24K for tuition, room, board, expenses to attend Cal State. UC Santa Cruz: $33K. Harvard (also with financial aid, of course): $17K

Obviously, half the story is how generous some well-endowed private schools are at supporting their students. The other half, as Torch points out, is that states like CA that are slashing education budgets are having to increase tuition to the point of absurdity. When I was in high school CS was a good option because you could pay for tuition and board with a part time job. Which, I think, was the point of the system (affordability). Now you have to take out five figure student loans. And at the very top of the page on http://www.calstate.edu:

Quote:The CSU is a leader in high-quality, accessible, student-focused higher education. With 23 campuses, almost 427,000 students, and 44,000 faculty and staff, we are the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country.

*ahem*

ETA: Clarification that Cal State aid IS factored in as well. (And to note that I normally hate that these threads don't follow my ignore instructions when composing or full-editing a post. In this case however Robert does point out a needed clarification in his oh-so-charming way.)

(03-08-2012 12:42 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Sort of related - did you see this article in the Atlantic?

It's cheaper to go to Harvard than a Cal State or a UC. The skinny: Family of four with income of $130K will pay $24K for tuition, room, board, expenses to attend Cal State. UC Santa Cruz: $33K. Harvard (with financial aid, of course): $17K

Thanks for the link.

It would seem that they left out the portion of income tax that goes to education that this family pays each year.

This disturbed me

Quote:Dwindling appropriations aren't the only reason tuition costs are rising, but they're the primary driving force.

Because it's not true. The primary driving force is growth of the university, both in administration and in unused building space.

(03-08-2012 12:42 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Sort of related - did you see this article in the Atlantic?

It's cheaper to go to Harvard than a Cal State or a UC. The skinny: Family of four with income of $130K will pay $24K for tuition, room, board, expenses to attend Cal State. UC Santa Cruz: $33K. Harvard (with financial aid, of course): $17K

Obviously, half the story is how generous some well-endowed private schools are at supporting their students. The other half, as Torch points out, is that states like CA that are slashing education budgets are having to increase tuition to the point of absurdity. When I was in high school CS was a good option because you could pay for tuition and board with a part time job. Which, I think, was the point of the system (affordability). Now you have to take out five figure student loans. And at the very top of the page on http://www.calstate.edu:

Quote:The CSU is a leader in high-quality, accessible, student-focused higher education. With 23 campuses, almost 427,000 students, and 44,000 faculty and staff, we are the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country.

*ahem*

Let me get this straight. The comparison is public schools price with NO financial aid and Harvard WITH financial aid. Makes perfect logical sense.