Engineering majors...
Posted on 07/05/2013 7:45:17 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
So, the theory is that the more worthless the degree, the less that should be charged? But how about instead of INCREASING tuition for hard science degrees, a DISCOUNT be given for garbage degrees?
On the other hand, one could make a case for discounting the hard science degrees to encourage more people to participate in those studies, because a.) they take MUCH more effort by the student, and b.) graduates with such degrees contribute MUCH more to the economy. Oh, right. That’s not gonna happen. Colleges aren’t in the business of benefiting society, they’re in the business of benefiting themselves.
“I do not understand why university thinks it can raise prices on select degrees when their competition is not raising prices on the same degrees.”
Think of it like gas prices. Gas is priced competitively to get folks in the door to buy things inside which have a significant markup. STEM degrees generate significant income for the university in terms of endowments, government grants, etc.
By spreading the cost out among all students, it means that the cost of STEM degrees for the university, all else being considered equal - is lower than it is for competing institutions.
Thus - the competition for STEM students, (which generate additional revenue), means that the university has a competitive advantage.
You’re right that it means the cost for humanities degrees will be higher for this institution than others - but who takes humanity degrees? A disproportionate number of women. What are women looking for when they go to school? A university with a significant number of men. It’s been shown that enrollment drops off drastically once the proportion reaches 2/3rds women.
STEM degrees aren’t limited by price. They are limited by qualified students.
Humanity degrees are price-limited. Thus, by increasing the price of humanities degrees you can exact a quota of them.
“That’s not gonna happen. Colleges aren’t in the business of benefiting society, they’re in the business of benefiting themselves.”
I would argue it is in the best benefit of the college to spread STEM costs among all students.
Correct I agree. I fully understand that concept.
Were you not voting against a proposal to change that? I don't understand why a University thinks it could be successful by changing that while their competition does not.
If I'm still not clear, what was the proposal you voted against?
As a History major, I voted against a proposal to change it so that each department had separate tuition. In effect, I was voting to raise the cost of my own degree so that other students would save money.
Those supporting the change didn’t see how it was fair that some were costing the university more while others didn’t cost them as much paid the same.
Okay. Did the university itself propose this?
Or was it just a proposal for those non-STEM that wanted cheaper tuition to go with their cheaper wage?
It was the university that proposed it. The student body was divided but eventually agreed to keep the common tuition. Tuition would have singificantly increased for the STEM degrees, pricing out many otherwise qualified folks.
That is what I don't understand. How the University thought this would work out good for them in the long run.
Perhaps it was proposed after figuring out it would be voted down (assuming it wasn't close).
The university isn’t governed by economists. ;)
Engineers and scientists bring in all the grant and patent money.
Like looking at all the money spent at on football at a Major State University while ignoring the ticket sales.
Most engineering and science classes do cost more because they include a lab fee.
There are a lot of self-serve restaurants where you pay for the food by weight, regardless of what’s on the plate.
If there is no market for buggy whips, why do we keep producing them? Government.
Engineering majors...
How about floating the interest rates on college loans. If you want to major in Art History, prepare for 12% interest rate...to cover the other 97% of borrowers that default (LOL). If engineering or medicine, maybe 4%.
Written by an English major, I presume?
If not, then charge them double for wasting everyone else's time.
-PJ
My daughter is getting a 4 year degree in Dental Hygiene. She pays per credit the same as a her English major counterparts, however she slapped with about 15k in additional fees over the 4 years.
make it easier on the colleges
for the next twenty years eliminate the social sciences of demography, human geography, international relations, linguistics, political science and sociology (the current occupants in the related professions will be doing enough damage in society), strengthen history and english composition. increase internships in the real world, and their length and frequency (doctors are taught medicine in teaching hospitals; do the same with other disciplines, especially egineering, business and finance), reduce restrictions on which classes are open to which grade(s), and devise and increase the use of exams that fairly and accurately judge “knowledge acquired outside of formal academic settings” as evidence of the acquisition of “credits” toward a degree
but what everyone is attempting is not how to reduce what the education industrial complex is costing, just how to pay for what it is costing, while preserving its perks and perequisites it has bestowed on itself
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