Universities don’t HAVE TO charge outrageous tuition

Just because universities can charge ridiculous tuition doesn't mean they have to.

I wrote a post the other day about how at least 16 universities are charging tuition (plus room, board, and fees) that has breached the $100,000 per year mark.

While most share in my outrage, there are some who say things like: "Well, if people are willing to pay it . . ." or "It's the government's fault because student loans enable universities to charge crazy amounts . . ."

But what I say to them is that just because universities CAN charge something does not mean they HAVE TO.

Now, I wouldn't apply that standard to every organization. In most industries, I have no issue with businesses charging whatever customers are willing to pay. That's how the best markets work.

but higher education is different

While I believe higher ed should absolutely be a profit-seeking endeavor, I believe it also serves a public good.

In addition to driving profits, higher ed is responsible for lifting our society, for educating it, for making it employable.

So, it is critically important that it be accessible to as many people as would be well-served by it. "Accessible" doesn't just mean students can afford to pay the tuition; it means students can afford to pay the debt they take out in order to pay the tuition.

Given that,

universities should not be extracting maximum value from students

Yes, higher ed should be charging a price that enables it to thrive. But that price should also be at a level that enables their students to thrive.

To do otherwise, isn't just inappropriate.

It's also immoral.