[E. Pluribus Unum]

The important thing is that the colleges siphon their money and saddle these people with as much student loan debt as possible before they wise up enough to realize what a bad idea it is to have tens of thousands of dollars of education debt and nothing to show for it.

It doesn't matter to the schools how badly the kids fail, as long as they get their money.

[Fruitbat]

The important thing is that the colleges siphon their money and saddle these people with as much student loan debt as possible before they wise up enough to realize what a bad idea it is to have tens of thousands of dollars of education debt and nothing to show for it.

Yeah, really. A measure of intelligence all by itself.

I believe that in ten years or so there are going to be so many more options for education than are out there now, many rendering college obsolete. The internet has opened up a wealth of self-education.

For people in business, who cares whether a person has taken coursework in the arts if they are supposed to perform in the business environment. One can learn all that BS on one's own time. How many of us just "played the game" for grades but learned nothing in many liberal arts courses.

Of the typical 40 course, 128 credit hour, 8-semester program for a degree in say business, only about 12 of those courses, or 40-50 credit hours are particular to the business disicpline, and some of those are relegated to worthless due to teachers more preoccupied with other things such as research and that don't give a crap about actually teaching anyone anything. One could learn more about actual business on one's own in two years of self study with some help and an apprenticeship.

Perhaps apprenticeships (white collar), or internships will make a comeback. IMO that'd be a much better system. A semester of school, as semester of work, with the school being 90% related to the specific discipline. Who cares about "general education" requirements, which are really forced liberalism in most cases. As to the pertinent stuff, literature, etc., let students find out what they like on their own. And who's to decide which kind of crap to shove down someone's throat. How about more poly-sci stuff for example instead of all kinds of "socialogical" nonsense.

[OldPossum]

The important thing is that the colleges siphon their money and saddle these people with as much student loan debt as possible before they wise up enough to realize what a bad idea it is to have tens of thousands of dollars of education debt and nothing to show for it.

Believe it or not, it wasn't always that way. I graduated in 1966, having had my education financed entirely by loans (some of which I paid off while still in school), a couple scholarships, and a lot of part-time work. When I left, I owed about $1,500. College wasn't always so expensive.

And yes, I had something to show for it. I walked right into a nice career, followed by a great retirement.