The experience of a college education is something that should be obtainable for any young adult who has a desire to attend. However, this "experience" is becoming harder and harder to accomplish. College costs are skyrocketing. With the growing cost of tuition many students have turned to working year round or never attending college at all. The college experience is both a benefit for the future as well as a stepping stone to becoming an adult. Overall, the cost of a college education is becoming very expensive for the average student because of many reasons. .
Since 1980 the cost of going to college has risen twice as fast as the cost of living, "climbing 57 per cent between 198l and 1986. The Consumer Price Index went up 26 per cent during the same period" (Hood 1). "The average cost of a public college of an in-state student is $4,081 and for a private college is $18,273 in 2003" ("College Costs"1). The explosion of college costs has outpaced almost all parts of the economy, including medical care costs, cost of commodities and cost of services. I believe the cause of growing college expenses lies not in the general economy, but in higher education itself. With the raising cost of tuition and the general economy not keeping pace with it, a college education is rising out of reach for the average student.
Why college is so expensive? University professors and colleges alike avoid answering the question. This question is a very valid and important one for students wanting a good education but wondering how to pay for it. .
One main reason why college costs have raised so much in the past years is due to the increase in faculty members. Haylye White, who is researching for ASU found that "the average salaries of faculty were about the same in 1990 as they were in 1970, but the number of faculty members increased by 76%. Meanwhile, the total number of student enrollment had only grown by 59%" (White 2).