Hidden Fees in College Degrees

Anne Mendis’ smile twisted into a scowl as she struggled to answer the question, “Do you think college is worth the price?”

The reaction to this question from the group of five girls nestled in their tiny dorm room kitchen, was variations of this, symbolic of most initial perceptions from students. “The system here is not what I wanted out of my college education…I wanted a system that was beyond the textbook… [one] more applicable to real life and job situations,” Mendis, a biology major at Stony Brook University, responded after a while. “The only areas I feel that help me realize what I want to do with my life and what kind of future I want is all the clubs and organizations…that I’m involved in. I think that’s what makes it worth it.” Heads nodded thoughtfully around the room.

The attempt to reach some sort of consensus on the worth of a college degree these days, proved to be a feat. Interviewees who at first seemed confident in their assurance that a degree is worth it, provided some contrary answer by the end of the interview. Responses ranged from resounding yes’s and no’s, to indifference, to vacillation. The premise of most answers, especially from students, generally stemmed from a preoccupation with money, more so debt and student loans, reflecting the nearly 60% of student loan borrowers who are worried that they will not be able to pay off their loans. Second to worries about debt, were emotional factors, such as coping with work load.

The monetary aspect of college (tuition costs, paying, debt etc.) had the most impetus on answers to the worth of a college degree, and sullied many expectations students had of college. “I started out as [a] Studio Arts [major]…but I’m going to be changing to Cinema and Cultural Studies,” one of the girls, Ashanti Dunlop shared. “…Art was something that I always knew I was going to come in to school to do, but I ended up changing because…I realized that you have to [continuously] buy art supplies which I [could not afford] on top of other things I needed to pay for.” For Psychology major on the Pre-Medical track, Esther Cho, the price was almost a complete deal-breaker. “I debated [going to college] because my family doesn’t really have the money, so most of it comes from financial aid and loans,” she said.

"What if this time was spent

pursing something that I know I'm good at?"

As the conversation continued, psychological and emotional aspects were shown to be as overwhelming an indicator of a degree’s worth, as the monetary aspect. “Classes have been challenging…they push me…I feel like I should be stressed but not…in a way that manifests itself into being sad or angry…or [feeling] this hopelessness…I’m supposed to be loving what I’m doing.” Mendis added to her previous answer. “What if this time was spent pursuing something that I know I’m good at [or] passionate about? College is a vehicle for that but what are other means [by which] I could have done that?” This question pulled the girls into a heated and animated discussion on regret and sacrifices.

“I asked my mom what’s the point [of going to college] if you can’t afford it, and she said ‘To get to an education so you can get a job.’ But what if I got a job now?” Cho posited, echoing approximately one-third of millennials who regret going to college, as opposed to going straight into the working world, according to a study by Wells Fargo. The study links this regret to the debt their schooling incurred due to student loans, which was also exemplified by a statement from Cho; “You go to school to get a job to pay off loans you got from going to school.”

However, the demand for higher education has soared as more companies in almost all industries require that applicants have at least an undergraduate degree, leaving young people virtually no option but to go to school. Aiesha Norris, a mother of a college student, agreed that in this respect a college degree is worth the cost, “…because nowadays [employers] don’t test your skills without seeing that you have a degree.” After a brief pause she added, “[But] most people can be trained…a degree alone doesn’t make you smart.”

Jair Ramirez took two years off before starting college, in which he worked several odd jobs. “I realized there’s not much you can really do with just a high school degree,” he said. “I [have been working] at a pharmacy for about 5 years…where I saw people come in and leave as nurses or EMTs, and I never really saw myself going anywhere. And that’s when I decided to go back to school, and I did.” Nevertheless, Ramirez shared the same agony of the group of girls. “[College] is always going to be worth getting a higher education, but when did we cross the [line] of education killing you…of having to not sleep for days trying to achieve this higher education…is being in debt for a significant amount of time worth it? No,” he shrugged, “…but there’s no other way.”

Mechanical Engineering hopeful Aba Sealey proposed that a student’s choice of major has an influence on how they measure the worth of a college education. “Some majors pay off more than others. My sister got her masters in guidance and social work…and she’s in a bunch of debt. And the career field that she’s in doesn’t pay a lot of money.” His thinking is not far off, as statistics show that it would take approximately six years for an Art degree holder to pay off student loans, compared to two years for a Mechanical Engineering degree holder (both from public institutions).

“The value of a college education is exposure to new and different ideas, ways of thinking. And I think that those who don’t go to college lack that…I feel it’s necessary to go to college,” said Professor of Accounting, Business and Paralegal Studies, Scott Giaccone. Giaccone, who received a Bachelor’s of Arts in English with a minor in Mathematics from Colgate University in 1982, had always planned to teach, and so he ended up working as a substitute teacher in a high school his first few years after college. “Part of New York State [law] is when you’re certified as a teacher, you have to get your Master’s degree within five years. When I started to do that [pursue a masters in English], I loved it. But I started to realize that this wasn’t a good choice because I wasn’t guaranteed a job.” This led to him pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration, then law school, and finally becoming a full time professor at Suffolk Community College where he teaches law, and part time at Stony Brook University where he teaches business. “Make sure you get your four-year degree no matter what,” he offered as parting advice.

"One-third of millennials regret going to college"

- Wells Fargo, 2013

At the end of it all, it is a reach to say, definitively, whether or not a college degree is worth the price. The majority of those interviewed agreed, yes, as some form of degree is required to attain most jobs these days. They also agreed, however, that the debt accumulated from student loans –loans which are increasingly necessary to afford school- lessens the worth. This was especially so with students, who emoted hopelessness, after being told that the average college graduate will leave school with up to $28,400 in debt. Students interviewed also seemed to feel that college was a road block in the life cycle. “[For] med school…it’s four more years of school…by the time you’re out of school most of your life is gone…If I decide to get married or have kids, it won’t be until my 30s. I want to be able to live my life,” said Cho. “A medical degree isn’t going to make me happier.” Persons also used the word “sacrifice” to describe college, whether it was a sacrifice of time, money or family relationships. So if the pros seemingly outweighed the cons, then why did they choose to go to school and why did they stay? The immediate response was the same across the board; their parents’ input and that it was the next logical step. “A lot of college is meeting people and networking…so I’m hoping these experiences will be worth it,” Cho added. “We just hope that it will be worth it,” Dunlop agreed, slumping down into her chair.

#people #education #college #millenials #money