12 Critical Issues Students Attending American Colleges and Universities Face
Colleges and universities in the United States are facing growing challenges and scrutiny. From skyrocketing tuition costs to questions about free speech on campus, these issues collectively contribute to dwindling confidence in the value of higher education.
Many Americans feel it’s time for the government to step in. These are some of the biggest issues American colleges and universities are currently facing.
Current State of Higher Education
Polling shows Americans are currently grappling with whether or not they, or their children, will benefit from higher education. In 2015, 57% of Americans reported high confidence in colleges and universities, but in 2023, that percentage dropped to 36%. Many of the following problems play a part in America’s declining view of higher ed.
1: Rising Tuition
Tuition costs are ballooning. While a four-year degree averaged $8,653 in 2000, it’s currently valued at over $21,000.
2: Decreasing Perceived Value
Only 56% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 still believe the lifetime value of a college education exceeds its costs. Older generations are much more likely to perceive college as worth the price.
3: Equitable Admissions
In recent years, many universities have attempted to make admissions more equitable. While the Supreme Court recently banned affirmative action in public university admissions, many still have concerns about equity-based practices affecting their ability to get into top schools.
4: Freedom of Speech
American universities typically have policies that promote free speech, but many students feel unsafe voicing their opinions. Polls show that almost half (48%) of undergraduate students don’t feel comfortable expressing their opinions on controversial topics in the classroom.
5: Student Debt
Student loan debt is skyrocketing. Since 1970, the rate of student debt has increased by 310%, after adjusting for inflation.
6: Eroding Tenure
Though controversial, many say that tenure enables professors to speak freely and helps ensure higher-quality education. Today, roughly 40% of faculty is part-time or adjunct and not on a tenured track.
7: Taxing Endowments
According to the Havard Gazette, taxes on college endowments weaken financial aid, research, and other vital programs. Even some proponents of taxing endowment money argue it only makes sense if the tax is used to incentivize better collegiate policies.
8: Ultra-Low Acceptance Rates
Universities are becoming more selective, putting acceptance rates at record lows. Harvard’s acceptance rate for the class of 2027 was only 3.4%.
9: Low Graduation Rates
Only 39% of college students obtain a bachelor’s degree in four years. The number jumps to 59% after six years, but that still leaves just over 40% of students without bachelor’s degrees.
10: Inaccurate Expectations
The vast majority of colleges and universities in the US (91%) misrepresent the total cost of attending their institution, setting inaccurate financial expectations for students and their families.
11: Valuing Research Over Teaching
While the government grants large amounts of money to public universities, most of it goes to research rather than teaching. For every $100 the federal government gives to research, only $24 goes to educating students.
12: Forbidden Disclosures
Federal law prohibits the government from publishing salary information for graduates from specific schools, making it harder for prospective students to determine whether the cost of college is worth it.
A System In Need of Reform
The US consistently ranks as having the best universities in the world, but many feel the country’s top status is at risk. They say the federal government needs to reform our broken university system.
Targeted Funding and Fair Loans
Some feel the government can help with higher ed’s myriad issues by providing targeted funding and restructuring student loans. More funding for better education, rather than research, may help students succeed, and restructuring student loans could lead to less financial burden on graduates.
50+ Reduced or Tuition-Free Colleges for Retirees
Many retirement-aged Americans are unaware of the free or cheap college education available to seniors in their state. Kiplinger set out to change that, highlighting the schools in each state that offer free or heavily discounted higher education for retirees.
50+ Colleges Offering Retirees a Free or Cheap Education
19 Things the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in 5 Years
If current financial trends continue, middle-class Americans may find things they used to afford unattainable. These are the troubling things that will likely become more difficult to afford in the next five years.
19 Things the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in 5 Years
