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Is the Cost of Higher Education Slowing?

According to a report by the College Board shows how college tuition has slowed this year when compared to the past 30 years. This is great news for people concerned about the overall cost of education and how it is increasing faster than inflation every year. In some years tuition increases have reached double digit levels putting additional burden on families. The question of why this is the case has not been fully explored or discussed. Certainly, no solution has been found yet. The report shows how 2013-2014 tuition and fees increased 10% for private non-profits, 17% for public 4-year and 18% public 2-year. In the past some, of these costs would reach into 20 and 30% increase range begging the question of why. Improvement in the numbers is to the benefit of students, families, and the government itself. The answer to "why" such large increases occur is difficult to answer in a single sitting. Some have argued that the recession and smaller state budgets are forc

Why are Business Leaders Looking to Online Education?

A recent survey in Higher Edu entitled Ready or Not brings forward an interesting concept that business leaders and senior college leadership have widely varying perspectives on how well they are preparing students to achieve within the marketplace. It also discusses the impeding changes and how brand names of elite schools may be impacted by quality online educational programs.  The Inside Higher Ed 's 2014 survey of chief academic officers found that 96% believed they were doing a good job ( 1 ). They were adequately preparing students for life and helping them gain knowledge that will be useful in the market and their personal lives. It is possible to see this as a reflection of perspective of the function and responsibilities of academic leaders within higher education.  A problem occurs when business leaders are saying something completely different.   A Gallop poll survey indicates that 14% of Americans and 11% of business leaders believe college graduates are f

Is the Higher Education Recession Over Or Just Starting?

A survey by Inside Higher Education shows a fundamental difference in economic assumptions of governors and college presidents with those who run the academic affairs such as provosts. Some are hailing the end of the economic downswing in 2008 while those who run the academics do not feel that this downturn is over. The perspectives are interesting and offer some insight to the debates going on in higher education.  According to the survey only 5% feel strongly that the economic downturn is over at their institutions. Another 18% feel that for the most part it is over. A total of 21% strongly disagree and another 37% somewhat disagree. Only 26% of private nonprofit institutions agree that the recession for their schools is over. Public institutions were even more likely to believe the downturn will continue.  The provosts feel that concepts such as MOOCs are unlikely to produce meaningful change. There will also be greater accountability on higher education to match effecti

Is Higher Education on a Crash Course with State Budgets?

Credit-rating firm Moody’s Investor Service continued to keep the negative outlook for higher education into the next year ( 1 ). They cite slow job growth, an uncertain labor market, and slow revenue growth.   Such schools are fighting over revenue and have already cut greatly over the past few years leaving them little room to do more.   Personal income is not rising making it difficult with high student loan debt and interest rates to send more people to college.   According to Moody’s research spending is also expected to decline. Some universities like Minnesota State University Moorland and University of District Columbia are pondering cutting core academic programs based upon needed budget cuts ( 2 ).   The trend is part of a need to reduce expenses in expense laden campuses. Decisions include the cutting of academic programs that once made up the core of university learning.   Some are concerned about what this trend means in the long run. Indiana state universities