College tuitions are sky-rocketing due to huge federal deficits? And everyone accepts this as an obvious truth? So I guess that with the Clinton "surplus" college tuitions were plummeting right?
this might interest you also...
September 5, 2003
SKYROCKETING COLLEGE TUITIONS
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is turning the spotlight on the issue of exploding college expenses, starting with the release of a congressional report, "The College Cost Crisis."
Among the key findings in the report:
* America's higher education system is in crisis due to exploding college costs. Tuition increases are outpacing the rate of inflation, increases in family income, and even increases in state and federal financial aid, which have grown tremendously in recent years. These cost increases are pricing students and families out of the college market, and forcing prospective students to "trade down" in their postsecondary educational choices because options that may have been affordable years ago have now been priced out of reach.
* It's not just the economy, stupid. Though many recent accounts attribute the college cost crisis primarily to state budget cuts and difficult economic times, the facts show tuition increases have persisted regardless of circumstances such as the economy or state funding, and have far outpaced inflation year after year, regardless of whether the economy has been stumbling or thriving.
* In both good and bad economic times, institutions of higher education have continued to disproportionately increase prices for students and families. When times are tough, institutions increase tuition; and when times are good, institutions increase tuition as well.
* Students and parents are losing patience with higher education "sticker shock." A backlash is possible, as evidenced by student protests taking place this summer on a number of major U.S. campuses. Public opinion shows widespread concern about the cost of a college education, as well as overall interest in finding solutions and involving the federal government in higher education affordability.
* Americans believe institutions of higher learning are not accountable enough to parents, students, and taxpayers - the consumers of higher education.
* Americans do not believe a dramatic increase in federal funding for higher education will solve the college cost crisis.
* Americans believe wasteful spending by college and university management is the number-one reason for skyrocketing college costs.
* The amount of information available to consumers about tuition increases is inadequate, inhibiting the ability of consumers to "comparison shop" and hold institutions accountable for tuition hikes.
* While significant tuition increases are the norm, they are not unavoidable. The report found a number of instances where colleges have managed, through innovation and diligence, to hold tuition increases to a manageable level or in some cases even reduce tuition. This not only provides hope, but concrete examples that college costs do not necessarily have to increase at such a rapid pace, and it is possible to keep the dream of a college education within reach.
The report does not offer solutions, but will serve as a basis for the Education Committee's work ahead, which will likely take several approaches. As Vice Chairman of the Committee, I will be very much involved. Over the years I have put a lot of effort into making tuition costs affordable for more Americans, so I welcome the Committee's increased attention on this issue.
house.gov |
