Why Can't Biden Just Order Universities to Pay Tuition Fees? Fact-Checking and Debating the Costs of Higher Education
The ongoing debate over the affordability and cost of higher education has gained momentum, with many voices, including some politicians, suggesting drastic measures such as having universities pay tuition fees for their students. This article delves into the intricacies and economic challenges faced by colleges and universities in the 21st century, across individuals who have contributed to the discourse on tuition fees and their justification.
The Case Against Overcharging
Some have argued that universities and colleges are overcharging, pointing to the high salaries of professors like Elizabeth Warren, who earned over $300,000 for one class. This section includes a fact-check of Warren's earnings, clarifying that she taught two classes and her salary reflected her overall contributions, not just her teaching.
Fact Check on Warren's Finances:
Warren earned over $400,000 in 2010 and 2011 while teaching at Harvard Law School. These two years saw her teaching two classes, not one, and during this period, she left Harvard to advise the government. Her $400,000 salary likely reflected her broader role at the university, including her research and many years of service. The idea that universities are consistently overcharging lacks clarity and objective criteria.
Understanding the Economic Challenges
The ease with which colleges and universities can cut educational expenses in the classroom is a significant challenge for the modern educational landscape. Direct educational expenses now make up only about 15% of college budgets. The remainder is attributed to state and federal mandates.
Historical Perspective:
When the author attended college in 1979, tuition at a community college in Seattle was $102 per quarter, and the University of Washington charged $225 per quarter. For a son who started college in 1996, tuition was about $4,500 per year. Fast forward to the present, with the average cost at a public university being $11,600 per year and $43,775 for a private school. This drastic increase in tuition has raised questions about why there hasn't been a more extensive revolt from parents.
The Inevitable Questions and Consequences
For parents and students, the value of a college education for non-STEM majors or those not pursuing military commissions or working for wealthy families has become increasingly questionable. The burden of student debt, often ranging from several hundred thousand dollars, discourages graduates from entering fields that only pay $30-40,000 annually. This raises critical questions about the practical marketability of degrees and the associated debt.
Furthermore, the idea that anyone who takes out a loan, including a student loan, should be required to repay it is argued as being beyond insanity. Some even suggest that those institutions should be self-sufficient, as they presumably already benefited from tax payers' money. The suggestion to use taxpayer money to pay tuition for everyone directly contradicts the principles of individual financial responsibility.
Constitutionality and Financial Issues
President Biden's proposed solution to address student debt by having universities and colleges pay their students' tuition is met with strong opposition, primarily due to its constitutional implications and financial feasibility. This policy would cost an estimated $300 billion, dwarfing even the supposed savings of $100 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act. This approach is said to further inflate the economy.
A visceral analogy and conclusion from a commenter reflects the sentiment of many: "Are you f-ing kidding me? I wouldn't ask if they were out of their minds, but that question was answered years ago."