How Did College Education Become So Ridiculously Expensive?

[Divernan]

57. In the 80's University College Dublin (public school) subsidized the following:

My daughter, an American citizen, enrolled directly in an undergrad liberal arts degree program, ending up with an honors degree in economics. She shared inexpensive off-campus housing with other students. Her annual tuition was around $600. Depending on what student activities she chose, she had the totally free use of an ocean-going yacht (sailing club), horses to ride on cross-country hunts (riding club), trips to visit the Bank of England in London and to Strassbourg to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Things are different now - no such tuition breaks available to non-Irish, or non-EU citizens.

But only a year ago, I was ending a visit to the wild Scottish highlands with a night at the symphony in Edinburgh, Scotland. I got in a very interesting conversation at intermission with three Chinese, university-age students who were seated behind me. We continued our talk afterward. Their government had sent them for a four month stay in Edinburgh so they could improve their English and learn the customs and mores of Europeans so they would be equipped to effectively interact with them later in their careers. This was part of their govt. subsidized higher ed. Gee! Investing in the future of your country and your country's economy by educating the young to function in an international economy.

Oh, never mind, as long as young Americans can have 76 cable channels & flat screen TVs in their dorm suites and rock-climbing walls & gourmet food in their dorms, and come out saddled with debt. That's the ticket!