Zophman Loc: Northwest

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/opinion/sunday/the-real-reason-college-tuition-costs-so-much.html?WT.mc_id=2015-APRIL-FACEBOOK-PROPENSITY_OPINION-AUD_DEV-0401-0430&WT.mc_ev=click&ad-keywords=AUDDEVAPRIL&_r=0

A very interesting and potentially revealing expose on why college tuition is higher today than ever before! (It is probably not why you think it is!)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Another cause is the expansion of departments and majors into many frivolous and redundant fields. My old school, Calif State University LA, the last time I was there for a seminar 20 years ago had; Hispanic Studies, Latino Studies and Chicano Studies all listed as subdepartments of History in the School of Arts and Letters. What they have now I can only guess. It is much the same in other fields.

Thus those professors and part time instructors are spread over more fields. A student often finds slots in needed classes filled and has to take things that don't count toward their degree to stay full time students and qualify for their scholarships, GI bill, coverage under their parent's health insurance etc. Then they take the required classes after they have enough senority to get to the head of the line. Magic, a 4 year BA or BS now takes 6 years and rising. They have a lot of unneeded empty units when they get their degree.
But the school collected 2 more years tuition, the professors/admin etc. got two more years pay. The extra departments stay open because their classes are filled with students marking time.
The students, parents, scholarship funds etc. have paid 50% more in tuition for the same degree. Parents and students also have paid 50% more in room and board. Student debt is much higher and they start working to pay it off and start their lives/family two years later and farther in debt. Others take degrees from these departments so they graduate closer to the old 4 years and find their degree nearly useless in real life.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Zophman, have you seen this one?

http://www.prageruniversity.com/Political-Science/What-is-the-University-Diversity-Scam.html#.VSyKzvnF-mU

Zophman Loc: Northwest

Had a discussion with friends who, by the way, are very well educated, could not defend why we need 5 school districts in a single county with redundent services. Same exists for state universities. Why do we need multiple universities with redundent and bloated administrators that are sucking budgets dry? Rather than throwing more money at the problem why don't we think outside the box and fix the problem?

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

Another argument could be made that the cause of rapidly growing tuition costs is the availability of easy loans. Colleges and universities increase their cost, and students and their parents respond by taking out more loans. If there were fewer willing "buyers", the cost would come down and the colleges and universities would figure out a way to manage on a lower budget.

Zophman Loc: Northwest

My five years in college was more about how well I could party and stay ahead of the draft man! I always told my kids to go to college to learn about who your are and not necessarily what you are!