49 States Flunk College Affordability Test

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"College professors get full salary foe teaching only a couple of classes a week...." Right, but most of the people teaching undergrads aren't "professors". Instead, they're part-time "instructors" who get less than a secretary's pay for teaching 2 or 3 courses per term. College is a money-pit not because of the people teaching the classes, but, rather, because of the increased outlay for the non-teaching college employees -- in other words, administrative flab.

Canucky Commie 9:08PM February 11, 2009

College professors get full salary foe teaching only a couple of classes a week. If they worked a full 8 or 9 hour a day job like the rest of us they would not have such high personnel costs.
Too much administration not enough in the trenchs actually teaching.

Jon Legg of CA 3:24PM January 08, 2009

I am surprised that pennsylvania takes 41 % of your income. I live in NJ and our State Colleges are ridiculously expensive with an average cost of 20,000 25,000 dollars a year. It is very discouraging that you can not get a break in your own state.

Dean Mason of NJ 9:30AM December 19, 2008

jesus, i only read 3 of the pages in this 'debate' and 3/4 of the people writing in it regurgitated what they heard on either right wing or left wing media sources. and of those free thinkers that are left, only one provided a good solution....only give free educations to those that possess the brain power to put it to use. let the rest of the mouth breathers become plumbers.
idiots.

jdogg of FL 1:51PM December 18, 2008

As a student I worked my way through college without owing my soul to banks or the government. I did not finish in 4 years but I did finish. It is best to find out where a good education can be found without having to pay out the nose.
The total of my student loans was $5,000 which made it quite easy to pay off. Did I go to a 'name brand' school. No. My degree, however, still opens the doors for me with hard work and good networking.
While we want to be the best we can be, we do not have to go to the very best schools to be the best either.

JW Morrison of TN 5:10PM December 16, 2008

It is a disappointment that this country's higher-education institutions are facing such a devastating debacle in terms of their managing. I myself am extremely lucky to be a resident of Florida, where we have some of the most affordable universities that money can buy (Florida State and University of Florida). However, it is ridiculous that this government of ours has completely abandoned the institution that made this country what it is today. Without a high-quality education system, how are we expected to remain the most competitive nation in the world? Our supply of educated citizens is beginning to decline to levels that can not encourage the creation of new advancements that will continue feeding our technological and economic superiority.
We need a federal government that is not afraid to stick it to selfish corporations and give all that subsidized money that is not necessary at all back to the schools. If the government cut excess spending, which is really money being given to companies that don't need it and deregulation of sectors that in terms of recent events should have never been removed in the first place. Hopefully, this new President-elect will stick to his word and revamp our education system from the bottom up because it is really necessary. We are the laughing stock of the West in terms of education, yes we have the best schools in the world, but if nobody can go to them because a. they can't afford them, b. they aren't prepared for them, c. they can't get accepted because the school is not accepting more students; then what is the purpose of having universities? These governors need to reconsider the harm they are doing to their states by cutting budgets in education, it is the only resource for our continued advancement in the world.
If we continue on this path to failure, Asia will sneak along past us (if they haven't already) and take control of the world systems. Although I do feel that other countries should have a say in world policy, (I am in no way condoning an American Monopoly over global affairs) I feel that the US should remain a competitive nation if it is to remain a significant part of the world order.

Angel of FL 5:56PM December 15, 2008

With the economy tanking and students turning to college it is interesting that schools are considering financial need in admissions decisions in Today's Chronicle. It is important that costs remain as low as possible so that we do not deny admissions to more talented but more needy students. CWH

Wayne of FL 3:58PM December 11, 2008

I am an eighth grade student and grew up thinking that as long as you did your best in school and you worked hard you could could go to college. The idea that college education is becoming out of reach to the common American is absurd, considering the US a falling superpower (currently). I WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE! But I don't have a lot of money! I never thought I would have to do a double-take on my chance at an affordable, quality education.
God Bless The USA

Emma of OH 10:00PM December 10, 2008

The school system here in the US is such a disappointment. I went to community college and lived with my parents during undergrad. I now in the process of apply to colleges for my MFA. I heading to Germany where tuition is FREE. I want to become a professor in the future and it breaks my heart knowing the difficulties people face and how attending university is becoming more out of reach. My advice to those looking for affordable study is look else where than the US. You will learn much more than you could in a classroom.

miche of CA 4:29PM December 08, 2008

I am originally from Venezuela, where tuition at all public universities is absolutely FREE. Isn't that what the "public" should stand for anyways?
I had the opportunity to move to the U.S. and I am very happy I did. However, I was shocked to see how expensive colleges are here. I am currently a Junior at the University of TX - Austin, and I feel very lucky to have a full scholarship, especially in such a tough economic climate.
It definitely is really sad to see how excellent students could be discouraged to go to college because of how expensive tuition is.
The US should realize a country's future depends on today's students.

NaN of TX 4:51PM December 05, 2008