The economy of higher education
Even when the recession is finally over, the US may have problems competing with the rest of the world. That’s because of a growing education gap. Family incomes aren’t keeping up with rising cost of higher education.
The unemployment rate for college and university graduates is half what it is for the workforce as a whole. But rising costs are putting college and university degrees out of reach for most young Americans. In the past 25 years, tuition and fees have gone up 439% while median income has risen by 147%, and student loans are saddling graduates with more and more debt. For the first time in American history, older adults have more education than younger ones, while other countries are educating their children faster. That’s ominous news for a country that attained world leadership because of higher education.
Guests:
– Will Doyle: Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Vanderbilt University
– Arthur Rothkopf: Senior Vice-President, US Chamber of Commerce
– Barmak Nassirian: Associate Executive Director, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
– Kimberly Johnston: Senior Associate Director of Admissions, University of Maine
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