College Tuition Continues to Increase at an Overwhelming Rate

Is the Price for College Really Worth It?

  It is no secret that the cost of college is considerably high and has prevented many individuals from pursuing their dreams. Ranging from thousands and thousands of dollars, many people fresh out of high school are left with few to no options when it comes to deciding on what to do next with their lives. Over the years, the price of college has continued to grow only to make it more difficult for the generations to come to receive a higher education. The price of tuition is not only extremely intimidating but it also creates a lot of obstacles for the student in the future such as difficulty living independently, putting a hold on life experiences, and having a high chance of not even completing their college education. 

The Debt Accumulated by Current College Students and Graduates Will Make it Harder for Them to Sustain Themselves 

    To begin, a common goal shared by many people is to be able to provide themselves with a place to call home and to have food on their plate. However, the growing tuition in college has made it harder for people of all ages to put food on the table let alone purchase a home. A Wisconsin HOPE Lab report  points out that two-thirds of community college students are struggling to have money for food and "14 percent are homeless." Community college is supposed to be a more affordable way to access a higher education instead of going straight to a university. Even with the help of financial aid and other helpful resources, students are struggling to sustain themselves.

Many Will Have to Postpone Other Lifetime Goals and Experiences in Order to Focus On Paying Off Their Debt 

  Secondly, not everybody shares the same goals and ambitions but everybody wants to live their lives to the fullest. Whether it is to have kids or to get married, everybody should have the chance to experience these special events. Sadly, these memorable opportunities don't fit everybody's budget and many have to put off having kids or getting married until they are financially stable after dealing with student debt. For example, Kirsten Indebted, is one of the many mothers still dealing with student debt while also having to purchase a home, a car, and still having to manage to care for her baby. She describes student loans as a dark cloud over her finances because ultimately she has no choice what to do in most situations, her finances make the decisions for her. No one should have to live in constant fear and stress all because of wanting a higher education. 

The Number of Students Dropping Out of College is Increasing Along With Tuition

  In conclusion, there are more people going to college than ever before, but the amount of dropouts are also at a new record. A recent report claims that over 44 million Americans hold more than "$1.4 trillion in student loan debt and only 54.8% graduate within six years." Many of these dropouts realize how difficult it will be to pay off their debt so they quit while they can. It is very difficult to find a high paying job that requires no college education but it is also very difficult to pay for college. The cycle will only continue if no action is taken against high college tuition.

Many will debate if the benefits of a college education overshadow the years and years of debt. Even with financial aid, scholarships, and other useful methods to pay off the debt, a lot of individuals will struggle to make ends meet.