Challenges for higher education in the United States: The cost problem and a comparison of remedies

Abstract

The costs of attending four‐year colleges and universities in the United States have steadily increased over four decades leading to high levels of student debt and many obstacles for low‐income students. The analysis presented appraises the extent of the cost and affordability problems, debunking the sensationalistic claims that are common in mass media. It considers the sources of cost increases such as the growth of administration and the decline of state subsidies and their consequences for low‐income students, including growing income gaps in completion rates and declining enrolment in more expensive institutions. By reviewing and synthesizing the existing literature, possible remedies for the cost problem are examined. These possible remedies include cost containment strategies, the possibility that universities can pursue alternative revenue sources, performance funding policies to improve productivity, increased state investment in institutional support, and financial aid reforms. Financial aid reforms provide the most feasible solution to the cost problem. These reforms should include doubling the size of grants to low‐income students and the expansion of income‐contingent loan repayment plans.

Comparison of Chinese Education and the U.S Education

“…Regarding the problem of high tuition fees in the United States, the federal government should introduce corresponding student loan relief measures. Steven Brint (2022) says that these potential solutions include cost-cutting measures, the potential for universities to pursue alternative revenue streams, performance financing policies, to boost productivity, enhanced State, investment in institutional support and finan-cial aid reform [10] . For some poor students, the federal government should issue cor-responding relief funds to help people of school age receive higher education.…”

Non-Tuition Expenses and Coping Strategies of Tertiary Students in Jamaica

“…Tuition represents only a portion of tertiary education related expenses (Brint, 2022). Once students decide to pursue tertiary studies, there are other nominal expenses that are automatically incurred to support activities that are necessary to make study possible (Ward & Corral, 2022).…”

Transformative leadership: BIPOC faculty and staff as catalysts for recruiting and sustaining a multicultural student body

“…recommends that one of the best ways to be proactive is for institutional leaders to spend time identifying characteristics of the ideal student population and tailor messaging and resources to support their efforts.Moreover, with the data outlining the gradual change in racial and ethnic demographics, colleges and universities should conduct analyses of the most frequently selected colleges for students from current racial minority groups to ascertain the reasons for their selection. Learnings about whether institutions are attractive to specific populations due to their affordability or cost of attendance, program offerings, reputation, for example, will be critical to planning and strategic communication campaigns a school decides upon Brint (2022). illustrates the way Carnevale and Stohl (2013) emphasize why this approach is important:Researchers at Georgetown University found that in the fifteen years between 1995 and 2010 more than 80 percent of new enrolments among white students went to the 468 most selective colleges in the country, while 70 percent of enrolments from under-represented minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, and Indigenous peoples) went to two-year or four -year minimally selective or open access institutions(Carnevale & Stohl, 2013, as cited in Brint, 2022.…”