By Claire Goodyear | LTVN Reporter
Higher education is what many people strive for as an equalizer in society, an opportunity for anyone to gain knowledge and have a successful career, regardless of their background. But is it really equal and attainable for everyone, or does this mean the price of not only tuition but also additional materials is required to be successful?
This could create an even larger barrier that undermines higher education’s very purpose.
The high cost of higher education is not a new topic of discussion. According to the Education Data Initiative, the majority of college students spend about 20 years paying off student loan debt.
But I am not only talking about the price of tuition. Expensive tuition at a highly-ranked university does not come as a surprise, especially at Baylor. But in addition to the high price of tuition, in some classes students are asked to purchase other materials beyond just textbooks.
One of my friends was telling me about a “not required, but helpful” model kit for organic chemistry. It’s allowed to be used for exams and homework, and is essentially a huge help. Although the kit is a helpful learning tool, this is a disadvantage for students who don’t have the funds to afford anything but the bare minimum. Across the classroom, there are students whose parents pay for all of their materials. It’s just not fair.
And I’m not saying that parents shouldn’t pay for their kid’s school materials; if that’s possible for you and your family, that’s great and a huge blessing. It’s just not the reality for every student.
Wealth goes hand in hand with educational success. It can be a head start in the race for those who can afford it and an additional obstacle for those who can’t.
On the other hand, more expensive tuition is absolutely necessary for universities to afford high-tech resources and facilities that they provide for the students. Collecting student debt should be an expected side effect of pursuing higher education for your future career.
So what is the solution? Honestly, I am not sure that there is a perfect one. The only thing college kids can ask for is to level the playing field. Textbooks, required for most classes to succeed, are notably pricey and add up; however, I encourage faculty to select only the necessary textbooks or provide more free public resources instead.
Any affordable costs or assistance that can further separate the correlation of wealth and college success would give everyone a better opportunity to succeed.
