College Tuition: Too Much or Not Enough
BCOM 275
September 16, 2013

College Tuition: Too Much or Not Enough
It is commonly taught that a college education is needed to advance in one’s professional life and to open opportunities for better financial standing, allowing a higher class standing within our society. Society dictates that college education is important and necessary regardless of cost because in the end the amount of monies paid toward higher education are recouped via professional opportunities that are available because of new skill sets attained. The critical thinking and communication skills accomplished by completing higher education, are very useful for professional growth. In spite of the benefits of higher education having a bountiful effect, the cost for some so high it becomes a deterrent and thus prevents many people from achieving the dream of attaining a college degree.
Society has accepted inflation as normal and has no qualms when business and corporations continually increase the price of products, especially when there is a high demand for said products. While working wages remain the same, or experience very low increase in parallel to the rate of increase in the marketplace for goods and services. The comparison of the business world and the cost of education is brought up by Dorfman when he states, “In most businesses, when you have such overwhelming demand for your product, you raise the price … why would they not increase prices when they have so many prospective students desperate to attend?” (Dorfman, 2013, para. 3). I don’t agree with Mr. Dorfman because we are not discussing an overpriced blanket or top of line refrigerator, which patrons can do without and are simply purchasing as a luxury product. Education is necessary in our society, especially when discussing inflation and the price increase of virtually everything out in the marketplace.
Mr. Dorfman goes on to say that students and their families never pay the full price of tuition that is advertised and used by politicians when speaking to the general public. Dorfman claims, “For example, Harvard’s full price is $59, 800 but the average price paid by students and their families who qualify for financial aid is only $15, 550 … The situation looks much better when the actual cost is examined instead of the number in the news.” (Dorfman, 2013, para. 5). A few problematic things with Mr. Dorfman’s stance on the subject include the belittlement of $15, 550. Not everyone has that kind of money lying around to simply write a check out to a school. Also what can be frustrating for families nowadays is that the monies used up by financial aid are funds that must be repaid. Students aren’t typically provided assistance in the form of grants and scholarships