College: The Biggest Scam in America.

[Mai72]

https://youtu.be/tXgCG50YoWs

I had no idea that colleges were tax exempt. I do agree with Pat on the tech part, and that thru technology we can make college much cheaper, and we could accelerate the process for many majors. Instead of 4 years, we they could have students out in 2 years. But, that won't happen anytime soon unless we demand it, or find other alternatives.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

When I was in college I met someone that was a first year grad student. He was an American, but he was raised in the UK because his military family had been stationed there during his undergraduate years. The expectation there was that as an undergrad in the UK you spent three years to complete your degree. I asked how they managed that and he said that unlike in America they expect that you can read and write and do basic math before you get to university. In American, the make money banking on that you can't. I can see that logic, but in the USA we tell lies to our kids in that we tell them they can do or be anything they want to--only stupid is in their genetic makeup and a lot of them will prove it as repeat freshmen in college.

 

[Red Squirrel]

College and University in general is somewhat a scam. They set it up so that you NEED it just to get a job. It's a product you have to pay money for and you are more or less forced to whether you want to or not. It's kinda like car insurance, that's another lucrative business to get into. It's literally illegal to not buy their product. With college/uni it's not illegal, but you won't be able to make more than minimum wage if you don't get that little piece of paper saying you wasted 3+ years of your life in a class room.

I learned more stuff working a summer job than I did during college. I was just there for the piece of paper and that's it. The real learning happens on the job.

Talk to a babyboomer who is very good at their job and they'll probably tell you they didn't go to college because it was not required back then. Their skills come from experience not from education. Experience trumps everything.

 

[Thebobo]

College and University in general is somewhat a scam. They set it up so that you NEED it just to get a job. It's a product you have to pay money for and you are more or less forced to whether you want to or not. It's kinda like car insurance, that's another lucrative business to get into. It's literally illegal to not buy their product. With college/uni it's not illegal, but you won't be able to make more than minimum wage if you don't get that little piece of paper saying you wasted 3+ years of your life in a class room.

I learned more stuff working a summer job than I did during college. I was just there for the piece of paper and that's it. The real learning happens on the job.

Talk to a babyboomer who is very good at their job and they'll probably tell you they didn't go to college because it was not required back then. Their skills come from experience not from education. Experience trumps everything.

As baby boomer not sure that's true. Any career I want to presuse all required some college.

 

[ImpulsE69]

The paper certainly makes a difference and I agree it is BS. Experience all the way.

 

[lxskllr]

It's a bribe to "the system". Same as getting a lawyer. Clearcut case, but better result with a lawyer than without.

 

[Ajay]

I finished college around 30 years ago, it was worth it to me and to my pocket book. Going by the CPI (from the BLS), college would cost me ~$5K/year vs $2K/year when I studied for my BS in a state school. The same college charges about $16K/year today for the program of study that I was in (tuition only). So I do wonder why the cost is 3 times the rate of inflation. If college costs had only gone up with inflation, they would still be a reasonable expense based on the reward. Taxing universities isn't an answer and the youtube personality didn't provide one. Costs need to come down, even if we go with more public funding for public colleges (not for private). Something is wrong.

PS This topic should be in P&N, IMHO.

 

[highland145]

Talk to a babyboomer who is very good at their job and they'll probably tell you they didn't go to college because it was not required back then. Their skills come from experience not from education. Experience trumps everything.

Friend worked for a company that make tank parts. High school education but had 29 years at this company doing engineering work. They closed so he went to the big local government contractor. 6 months in, his boss up 2, found out he didn't have a degree and told him that he couldn't work there. His work/performance was fine but he didn't have a price of paper. Effing B.S.

 

[highland145]

I finished college around 30 years ago, it was worth it to me and to my pocket book. Going by the CPI (from the BLS), college would cost me ~$5K/year vs $2K/year when I studied for my BS in a state school. The same college charges about $16K/year today for the program of study that I was in (tuition only). So I do wonder why the cost is 3 times the rate of inflation. If college costs had only gone up with inflation, they would still be a reasonable expense based on the reward. Taxing universities isn't an answer and the youtube personality didn't provide one. Costs need to come down, even if we go with more public funding for public colleges (not for private). Something is wrong.

PS This topic should be in P&N, IMHO.

2 things....the effing government got into it and guaranteed student loans. Fucktard wants a basket weaving degree, school realizes that the lenders will lend fucktard $100K for such a degree and the government guarantees repayment. BAM, school charged fucktard $100K for a basket weaving degree.

And 2...states have cut the funds that they give public universities/colleges.

And 3...yeah, I know I said 2....admin costs have risen some 70% over the last 5 years but professors pay has not.

1986, Clemson cost $5K/yr, so $20K for an engineering degree that earned $30K+/yr assuming grades and all.

 

[sandorski]

Private chain Colleges and Financing are the scams. The actual Education provided by Colleges is a necessity.

 

[brianmanahan]

it ain't bad if you can get it for free

 

[NoTine42]

2 things....the effing government got into it and guaranteed student loans. Fucktard wants a basket weaving degree, school realizes that the lenders will lend fucktard $100K for such a degree and the government guarantees repayment. BAM, school charged fucktard $100K for a basket weaving degree.

And 2...states have cut the funds that they give public universities/colleges.

And 3...yeah, I know I said 2....admin costs have risen some 70% over the last 5 years but professors pay has not.

1986, Clemson cost $5K/yr, so $20K for an engineering degree that earned $30K+/yr assuming grades and all.

And Colleges , like their athletic department, are involved in the stupid “who has the newest” facilities / dorm war.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Private chain Colleges and Financing are the scams. The actual Education provided by Colleges is a necessity.

Not true, the education part.

 

[sandorski]

Not true, the education part.

Disagree.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Disagree.

it is possible and definitely cheaper to make a good living in the trades without attending a college or university.

 

[lxskllr]

it is possible and definitely cheaper to make a good living in the trades without attending a college or university.

It's possible to be a good technician of any kind without going to school. School's an artificial barrier.

 

[sandorski]

it is possible and definitely cheaper to make a good living in the trades without attending a college or university.

The good Trades need formal training.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The good Trades need formal training.

formal training that is not done at universities.

 

[sandorski]

formal training that is not done at universities.

Trade Schools.Still Post Secondary education.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Trade Schools.Still Post Secondary education.

And?

 

[lxskllr]

Trade Schools.Still Post Secondary education.

I'm self taught. Learned some by doing it, some from other people, and some from books. I didn't pay for any of it. If someone doesn't care enough to learn on their own, they should be questioning their career choice.

 

[sandorski]

And?

I guess we just view the distinctions between the 3 differently.

 

[sandorski]

I'm self taught. Learned some by doing it, some from other people, and some from books. I didn't pay for any of it. If someone doesn't care enough to learn on their own, they should be questioning their career choice.

Ok.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm self taught. Learned some by doing it, some from other people, and some from books. I didn't pay for any of it. If someone doesn't care enough to learn on their own, they should be questioning their career choice.

You're doing it wrong. Career choice is supposed to be based solely on salary after graduation so, after 25 or 30 years you can retire and begin living.

 

[purbeast0]

I know there is no chance in hell I would be where I am at in my career and field had I not gone to college. I am a comp sci major and while I know you can learn on your own, at that age there is no chance I would have learned how to program on my own. But I graduated in 2004 and only had like $19k in debt which has been paid off, and my tuition was like $15k/yr or so I think, and that included living on campus. Prices have gone up a ton since I left though. It completely depends on your major though. My brother went to the same school as me and doesn't even use his degree, he's a fire fighter now.