Higher education in the United States is an incredibly important factor in the country’s growth, but due to a number of challenges, it’s become an increasingly difficult and costly pursuit. From rising costs and student loan debt to increasing socio-economic disparities in college access and experience, there is much to consider when it comes to the challenges facing post-secondary education. This article breaks down and examines these issues in an effort to understand how they are impacting higher education in the United States.
High Costs of Education
High education costs are one of the biggest challenges that students in the United States face when attempting to pursue a post-secondary education. In 2018, the average cost of tuition and fees for a public four-year in-state institution was $10,230, while the same cost at a private four-year institution averaged over $36,000. These costs have been steadily increasing over the last few decades, and the burden of burden of these fees is often shouldered by students and their families in the form of student loan debt.
Student Loan Debt
In an effort to finance their educations, students are increasingly turning to student loans. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over two-thirds of students graduating from four-year public colleges in 2018 had student loan debt, with an average loan amount of over $28,000. This amount is even higher for graduates of four-year private colleges, with an average loan amount of over $32,000. This high student loan debt is concerning, as it can place a large burden on students after they complete their educations and begin to transition into adulthood.
Decreased Accessibility
Another issue concerning higher education in the US is decreased accessibility. According to the US Department of Education, the percentage of student from low-income families enrolled in college fell from 57% in 2003 to 46% in 2017. This is a worrying trend, as low-income families are increasingly unable to afford the costs of higher education, leaving these students without the opportunity for educational advancement.
Lack of Academic Support
The lack of academic support available to students is another issue of concern in the US higher education system. In many cases, students are unable to access the resources they need to succeed, leading to increased drop-out rates due to lack of academic preparedness. This lack of support often disproportionately affects low-income and minority students, resulting in lower graduation rates overall.
Decrease in State Support
The decrease in state funding for higher education is also having an impact on college accessibility in the United States. 46 out of 50 states had reduced their support for colleges and universities between 2008-2009 and 2016-2017, according to a 2018 study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. This lack of funding is leading to increases in tuition fees and a decrease in quality of educational services, making higher education increasingly difficult for many to attain.
Uncertainty of Future
Finally, there is an increasing amount of uncertainty facing students when it comes to the future of their higher education. With the cost of attendance continuing to rise and the steady decrease in federal funding, many students unsure of what the future holds for their educations and the ability to pursue their career and academic goals.
There are many challenges facing higher education in the United States. From soaring tuition costs to lack of financial and academic resources, and an uncertain future, there is much to consider when it comes to post-secondary education. Although there is much work to be done to address these issues and make higher education more accessible and attainable for all, understanding these challenges is the first step in ensuring that all students have the opportunity to pursue the educational options that best suit their individual needs.
