I think it costs because the world doesn’t want people that don’t know what to do. If universities had no such things as exams or tuition, the tuition wouldn’t be worth it and the world will start having slackers that don’t do anything but sit around and watch the grass grow.

And teachers need some of the money too because teachers are the ones that teach the students about their job requirements. They also need the money for new books and classroom supplies and for fixing up buildings or materials. (If something like an earthquake happens)

Public high schools aren’t as strict and don’t cost because anyone can enter them (no entrance exam or anything) and I bet every high school has a person that doesn’t study or do their homework. Teachers don’t care about their grades because they let students do whatever they want to do. They don’t force the students to do something that is right because they may not change. So overall, it’s up to them what they want to do and it’s up to their parents also.

Well… this is in my opinion… I hope this helps with your question. 🙂

Well, the idea of college has changed in the US from social good to individual benefit, so since it is to your individual benefit, you get to pay. At public colleges student pay about 1/2 to 3/4 of the actual cost. If you look at a colleges annual budget and the number of students and do the math, then it costs $11,000 to $15,000 per student per year at most colleges. Some places are cheaper, and some more. Issues of faculty to student ratio, overhead, physical plant, cost of energy etc make some less and some more expensive.

Alternatively, it is a way to separate out the classes. Worker bees don’t go to college because their parents cannot pay, manager bees have parents who can pay, so we screen out the lower classes this way. Note that Harvard has a 29 BILLION dollar endowment and yet they charge tuition, and a high rate yet. Do they need more money?

Me, I think it should be free or at least really cheap. Note that in states with low state tuition (CA) the education level and income level is very high.

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High School is mandatory and Higher Education is elective. It is a choice one makes.

Public schools are in a pretty sorry state, the teaching profession attracts only the dedicated, not those who want an easier life; reason? the pay is so poor.

When we adequately fund lower schools, we can think about colleges.

We’re spending 500 billion (and counting) on a war.

We don’t fund education properly, period. And you’re right, it is hurting our abilities to compete globally.