There is a product that is as American made as any.
The raw product is American.
The hands that mold into a finished product are American.
The sales force that promotes it is American. Even the telemarketing personnel are American.
The product is made on-site, in America.
People from other countries come here to the buy the product.
It is hand-crafted, made to order, with each individual unit a limited edition.
It is American Higher Education. “Quality craftsmanship since 1636.”
Not cheap. In any sense of the word. Including price tag.
Are there ways to cut costs? Is there some level of mismanagement with some suppliers?
Sure, but I would venture a guess that it’s no worse, and – in fact – may be less than in most industries.
In other words, higher education is expensive. It costs tens of thousands of dollars to provide one year of education – whether you pay for it, Uncle Sam, Uncle Christie or Capitol One pays for it. Even if the College gives you a 40% discount off the sticker price (which is the norm, by the way).
Yeah, but some of that money is going to a new dorm or laptops for each student or a new fitness center that looks like Curves and Golds Gym all rolled into one. And I heard one college is even giving out SmartPhones to each freshman.
Absolutely. And they could stop doing that and it would certainly lower tuition and room and board. But – if they don’t build it, will we still come? I’d hate to work for the college that hedges that bet. The consumer demanded and the supplier responded.
Better management in higher education might also save a few dollars. Figure a $50,000 school might become a $48.000 school. But, it’s not the problem nor is it a magic solution. It still would be $48000.
Reduce costs? Sure, eliminate a career services staff member or an athletic team. Don’t build that new dining facility. Cut back on landscaping. Let average class size grow from 15 to 30. Let G.A.’s and adjuncts replace full-time faculty.
Are there salaries that are out-of-control? Sure, a few athletic coaches and a few Presidents. Not many others. However, I think a comparison to areas of commerce would be quite revealing. There aren’t too many Jamie Dimons in higher education.
But I can’t afford $48,000. It’s not fair.
It’s not always fair. Trust me, as a Met, Jet and Net fan, I’ve used that phrase quite a bit in my lifetime.
Thanks to 40% tuition discounts and Uncle Sam and Uncle Christie, most “$48,000” schools will actually be much less. But even if the cost of College A is out of your reach, there’s still College B that will offer a do-able package and State U., which will offer a subsidized tuition rate and Community College, which will offer an even more subsidized rate.
All for a product that is American made, offered in limited editions and respected worldwide.
Folks like me can help you through the process, offer advice and maybe even save you a dime or two. But there’s no magic here.
There. Is. No. Magic. Here. Except in the finished product, when you become your very own collector’s edition.
Not every college and not every financial aid package is affordable. Some roads may be closed. Some roads may have a toll that is beyond your means (Kinda like the Verrazano Bridge). But many – far more than you realize – will be welcoming, passable and affordable. And worth traveling.
As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to email me at info@cc4therestofus.com, call or text me at 908-403-3819, join me on Facebook on “College Counseling for the Rest of Us” and join me on Twitter at @MichaelCCR. And now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/CCRMichael?feature=mhee.
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