My research question involves the ethics of college being so expensive. I am analyzing the effects that such high college tuition are having on graduates and documenting evidence supporting why it should be lowered. As a current college student, having limited finances is an everyday occurrence. It is not just tuition students are stressing about either. Books, gas, food, off campus housing for upperclassmen and many other expenses are all aspects of college that add up. My parents are trying to pay for my college education without our having to take out loans, for which I am grateful, especially considering the amount of money many people are forced to borrow to attend college.  The fact that college tuition is so high makes me wonder what I would do if I were in a situation where I wanted to get an education, but could not. I plan to go to graduate school, which will be another costly undertaking.  I strongly believe that this country has a moral obligation to make college more affordable. I feel I am qualified to write about this topic because I am a new college student, living on a meager budget and struggling with the high cost of college.    

One article I analyzed on this topic is an interview conducted by Sharon Epperson called "Treasury Official: College Should be Cheaper," in which US Treasury official  Sarah Bloom Raskin gives her insight into the "student debt dilemma" and how it will affect our future economy. "We have to think through what the administration can continue to do to make that education more affordable," states Raskin. She points out that a 4-year college education is a great investment in a person's potential and our economy as well, so it is important for as many people as possible to be able to have the opportunity to go. Raskin contends that student loans help out tremendously, but we have to pay attention to the amount of student debt accumulating because it could potentially be dangerous down the road. In the past 20 years, college tuition has risen 50 percent, and student debt accumulation is more than $1 trillion. Ninety percent of that debt is from government loans. Raskin, being the deputy US Treasury secretary, is fully knowledgeable about loans and student debt.  As such, she is a very credible source. She admits that there is definitely a considerable amount of work to be done on the student loan program. 

The second article that I analyzed on the topic is called "College Costs Must Be Lowered," written by Collegiate Times columnist Lina Barkawi. The major concern voiced in this article is that students are graduating with huge debts and no way to pay them off. According to Barkawi, the average student walks away from college with about $24,000 of debt, while some student's debt can even reach six digits. She also points out that 1 in every 5 college graduates is unemployed when they first graduate. You can imagine the difficulty of being $24,000 in debt, while having no job.  The consequences of not being able to pay back student loans are highlighted in the article.   Upon graduation, you are completely responsible for paying back the thousands of dollars the government so kindly let you borrow, whether you find a job or not. If you do not start paying back your loans when the first monthly installment is due, your loans could go into default, with numerous repercussions.  Percentages of your wage can be garnished, some of your social security benefits can be withheld by the government, you are no longer eligible for financial aid, you may not be able to renew whatever professional license you hold, and your credit record will forever be tarnished. The author believes that attaining a college degree and making a difference in the world should be everyone's goal, but achieving that goal is becoming more and more unattainable because of the cost it takes to get there. Barkawi is a regular columnist for the Collegiate Times, and therefore is very knowledgeable about all aspects of college. She firmly believes that college tuition should be lowered. 

The third article I analyzed is called "Tuition Should be Lowered," and focuses on the pros and cons of lowering tuition. The major reasons tuition should be lowered are about in stasis with the other articles.  Tuition is rising each year. Consequently, in the future a college education could potentially be attainable only for the extremely wealthy and those poor enough to receive a lot of scholarships. The article also mentions that the high price of college could discourage many people from wanting to attend. But, even though it is clear that tuition should be lowered, there are some good reasons it is high. Tuition provides for a better quality of buildings, faculty and staff. It also can motivate people. Since they are paying so much to be in college, students might be inclined to work harder than if it were much cheaper. Although there are pros and cons, the negative consequences of high tuition probably outweigh the benefits; therefore, a reduction in the cost of a college education is warranted.   

College tuition is a major concern for parents and students throughout the country.  With education being so important for personal and societal success, why should only some people be granted access to it? Why should students, after the grueling process of earning a degree, be met with a bleak future due to seemingly insurmountable college debt?  All of the articles I analyzed are in stasis that tuition should be lowered. While this consensus is encouraging, it makes you wonder why there is not more being done to make college more affordable.   The fact that student loans can potentially ruin your life while you are actually trying to make a better life for yourself is very ironic.

