In recent years, the cost of higher education in the United States has become a significant barrier for many Americans. NORC at the University of Chicago surveyed 1,030 adults in America, and 75% did not attend college due to the cost. For public universities, the average cost of college in 2024-2024 for instate residents was $11,610 for state residents and $30,780 for out-of-state residents. Meanwhile, private universities’ average tuition and fees is $41,540. A survey from Morning Consult found that 77% of people say college is difficult to afford.
The overload of statistics written in the prior paragraph was to demonstrate how many Americans find the price of college to be a major barrier. These statistics underscore why higher education has become inaccessible for many. In 2024, the Education Data Initiative wrote, “America is among the top 3 most expensive countries for international students.” This can be a problem because it limits how many Americans can receive further education. In some cases, gaining a bachelor’s degree leads to more opportunities to network with others, acquire internships, and obtain employment. Many high-paying jobs do tend to require a bachelor’s degree. Despite the opportunities that can come from attending university, many Americans do not have the financial means to pay for the high costs that come with this degree. NASFAA writes, “85% of adults – who either stopped out or never enrolled in a higher education program – said an important reason why they weren’t currently enrolled is because of the degree or credential program cost.”
As established, paying for post-secondary education is a challenge for many. However, despite this fact, some may still choose to attend college. The debt that many take on to be able to attend college has been shown to worsen the mental health of adolescents. Scholars Strategy Network wrote that “mental health professionals find that today’s college students are experiencing more stress and higher financial burdens than many of their predecessors.” There is a strong correlation between high college tuition and poor mental health. Many students experience financial pressures due to high tuition and living expenses, fees from supplies such as textbooks, and student loans that come with it. These financial strains, along with academic pressures, can contribute to both short-term and long-term stress, leading to more widespread mental health challenges among students.
Another aspect to consider when discussing this topic is the harmful impact these costs have on marginalized communities. Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education wrote that “students of color—particularly Black students [1]—had lower persistence rates and completion rates, higher debt burdens, and lower median annual earnings than their White peers (Espinosa et al. 2019). Racial groups such as Latinos and African Americans are underrepresented in higher education because of tuition costs. For example, Black students in America often do not enroll in further education after high school because of the high price. Colleges mainly consist of white students, and there is a lack of students from black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and other backgrounds. According to The Education Trust, districts with the largest populations of Black, Latinx, or Native American students receive about 13% less per-student funding than other school districts.[4] The domino effect continues when they enter higher education institutions. Factors such as a lack of funding make it more difficult for Latinx, Black, and Native American students to afford to attend further education after high school. Even before tuition costs are considered, it is more difficult for students from these communities to afford the price of applying to universities. This lack of access to resources at an early stage can further perpetuate the cycle of limited opportunities for these communities and underrepresentation. In addition to application fees, standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT are costly. The cost of an SAT with no writing is $69, and $94 with writing. This is similar to the cost of an ACT, which is $68 without writing and $93 with writing. Individuals from low-income families immediately have a disadvantage in the admissions process, making it harder for them to attend college.
Now, you may be wondering, like me, why college tuition is so expensive in the United States. One reason for this is because of decreased state funding. Many state governments have reduced the amount of funding. As a result, schools have raised their tuition to make up for this. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities wrote that “deep state cuts in funding for higher education over the last decade have contributed to rapid, significant tuition increases and pushed more of the costs of college to students, making it harder for them to enroll and graduate.”
Additionally, there is an increased demand for amenities such as state-of-the-art gyms, upscale dorms, recreational facilities, etc. For example, according to Edvisors, “High Point University in North Carolina spent over $700 million renovating to add amenities such as luxury appointed residence halls with pools, restaurants and sports facilities.” These amenities can be expensive to maintain, contributing to high tuition costs. Lastly, there has been a growth in administrative staff and positions. This growth of administrative positions, as Edvisors states, “adds to the overall educational costs, which are then passed on to students through higher tuition fees.”
In conclusion, the high college tuition costs in the United States is a multifaceted issue that creates crucial barriers for many students. The financial burden makes it difficult for students to obtain further education and also increases mental health and socioeconomic challenges. To address these issues, higher education must become more accessible to all students regardless of economic status and background. By reducing financial strain on students and families, a college education can be an achievable goal for everyone.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/16/investing/curious-consumer-college-cost/index.html
https://www.coursera.org/articles/cant-afford-college-even-with-financial-aid