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Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - LevelUP - 07-27-2026
Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/academics/2026/07/22/survey-majority-americans-say-college-not-affordable
Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - NotJoeBiden - 07-27-2026
That is probably because a majority of Americans cannot afford college.
RE: Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - Maltus - 07-28-2026
you don't say... ;-)
RE: Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - SteveFoerster - 07-28-2026
Anyone who thinks that US higher education isn't affordable just doesn't know where to shop.
Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - NotJoeBiden - 07-28-2026
(07-28-2026, 09:58 AM)SteveFoerster Wrote: Anyone who thinks that US higher education isn't affordable just doesn't know where to shop.
I think the definition of affordable varies. $5k for a bachelors degree is cheap in the US marketplace, but when up to 2/3 of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, it is still unobtainable for the majority.
Mind you that in many other developed nations (and even many not classified a such) education is cheaper than ours, and/or simply covered by taxes.
This education affordability crisis is an American problem.
RE: Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - ReyMysterioso - 07-28-2026
This study brought to you by the Department of No F$ck!ng $h!t.
RE: Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - SteveFoerster - 07-28-2026
(07-28-2026, 03:12 PM)NotJoeBiden Wrote:(07-28-2026, 09:58 AM)SteveFoerster Wrote: Anyone who thinks that US higher education isn't affordable just doesn't know where to shop.
I think the definition of affordable varies. $5k for a bachelors degree is cheap in the US marketplace, but when up to 2/3 of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, it is still unobtainable for the majority.
Even without Title IV funding that wouldn't be true. For five grand, if there were an expectation of even a modest return it would be easy to finance it, even for people with marginal credit.
(07-28-2026, 03:12 PM)NotJoeBiden Wrote: Mind you that in many other developed nations (and even many not classified a such) education is cheaper than ours, and/or simply covered by taxes.
If you're willing to go online and you're Pell eligible, then no, it's not cheaper elsewhere. Even blood-red Tennessee has free community college for their state's high school grads.
(07-28-2026, 03:12 PM)NotJoeBiden Wrote: This education affordability crisis is an American problem.
Again, what you're calling an affordability crisis is better described as an information disparity. If the ten smartest people on this forum got together to write a modern day Bear's Guide and it were a bestseller, that would do more for students than any change in public policy.
Although I'd agree that would still be a crisis for legacy institutions with high ongoing costs.
RE: Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - LevelUP - 07-29-2026
Students today probably need a minimum of $20,000 per year in loans just to cover tuition, housing and other expenses while still having to work part-time. Since around 2008, federal loan limits have barely changed, while the cost of rent has roughly doubled.
Someone here also needs to recommend a strain of weed strong enough to help me understand the logic that it's somehow cheaper for a freshman to go to college than a senior, which is apparently why they have different loan limits.
RE: Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - SteveFoerster - 07-30-2026
On the other hand, why should student loans, especially federally-backed ones, cover living expenses at all? If they didn't, and that meant that a lot of "traditional age" students lived at home, or worked full time and went to school part time, they'd end up with a lot less debt at the end.
RE: Survey: Majority of Americans Say College Not Affordable - ss20ts - 07-30-2026
(07-29-2026, 04:07 PM)LevelUP Wrote: Students today probably need a minimum of $20,000 per year in loans just to cover tuition, housing and other expenses while still having to work part-time. Since around 2008, federal loan limits have barely changed, while the cost of rent has roughly doubled.
Someone here also needs to recommend a strain of weed strong enough to help me understand the logic that it's somehow cheaper for a freshman to go to college than a senior, which is apparently why they have different loan limits.
$20K a year won't cover tuition, fees, textbooks at the state university system. Forget room & board and other living expenses.
The federal loan limits changed on July 1st and not for the better.
(07-30-2026, 03:55 PM)SteveFoerster Wrote: On the other hand, why should student loans, especially federally-backed ones, cover living expenses at all? If they didn't, and that meant that a lot of "traditional age" students lived at home, or worked full time and went to school part time, they'd end up with a lot less debt at the end.
Many people don't live anywhere near a college. Most of the state colleges here are in the boonies so students are forced to live there. Commuting isn't an option. Working while attending college is easier said than done.