Comment by nkrisc

Comment by nkrisc 3 days ago

2 replies

> Of course, only the wealthy pay full price for college, but when you ask people if college is worth the cost, they may be anchored to those prices even if their own kids would end up paying less.

They’re paying less, but they can also only afford to pay less.

I went to college with many people who were paying heavily reduced tuition rates and it was still a significant financial burden for them.

So even if the expected value of the degree is high in the long run, the downside risk is immediate financial ruin.

fintechjock 3 days ago

Correct.

It is also worth noting that the non-wealthy pay for higher education in two ways: first through tuition, and second through the taxes required to fund the very programs that provided their "discount."

h2zizzle 3 days ago

If rich families had to take on the same financial burden as middle class and poor families, they would be paying millions in tuition.

Which, honestly, isn't that bad of an idea. Means-testing for everyone.