Rising college costs: Opportunity cost or sound investment?

-- Joe Haynes

Outside of national and international affairs, such as foreign conflict, the environment, or world economics, there is no topic more important, conflicting, and directly related to students lives than the cost of their education. Since early childhood, higher education has been dubbed the ticket to a more comfortable, fulfilling and desirable existence. That ticket is exactly what drives us to take out loans, borrow from family and friends, or work ourselves to the bone during and after the school year to meet our financial obligations. To me, and many of my peers, the thought of a college degree and a rewarding career is worth the years of sacrifice in order to do what we want later in life.

Aside from the windfall and accolades that potentially come with a college degree, there is choice and consequence associated with attending college, just as there is with any other choice.

The numbers are numbing when you compare what we are paying for our education now compared to generations ago. We are not only paying more for tuition and fees, we are also paying absurd prices for things like books, lodging, parking and food. Such costs do, in effect, drive many would-be students to low- and medium-paying jobs in retail, labor, or the service industry and away from the classroom.

I have just returned to the classroom this prior semester from a three-year hiatus, and forgot about the grind of finishing schoolwork along with working forty-plus hours per week. It’s not always the funnest thing to do, but I truly missed school, and am glad I returned. I am in the minority on this issue and may take a different perspective than many of my colleagues, but I tend to look at what I am doing as a challenge and a source of enlightenment. The way I see it, every dime I put into my education is an investment, and an expectation to succeed.

The main question at hand is, what do we get out of this investment, and is it worth the spiraling financial burden we face? Many college student-elected lawmakers have taken strides recently to cut or eliminate programs initiated to assist college students through their time of financial need. What can we do about this? If we are truly serious about being heard and having our opinions addressed, SPEAK UP! There is power in numbers.

Also remember, attending college is a privilege, not a right. We are all very lucky to be where we are, and there are many who would like to be in our position. We all need to realize that what we are doing could make us great, not just good or average, and what price is too high for our potential to become reality?

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