Introduction
College education in the United States is undoubtedly very expensive. As of today, majority of the Americans find college education out of reach considering the cost of living and the general economic status. There are concerns that tuition fee for one year at college is making it difficult for parents and college students to save enough money. Lamar Alexander argues the United States risks its competitive advantage over other countries in terms of research and wealth creation (27).
In the recent times, United States universities have been ranked among the top most competitive universities in the world (Alexander 28). Another situation facing college education in the United States universities is lack of continuous innovation. Pundits like Bollinger, Crow, Hansen and Zemsky argue that universities in the United States are no longer improving in terms of flexible learning processes (30). The purpose of education in promoting entrepreneurship in a country with great opportunities is slowly diminishing.
Currently, the entrepreneurship phenomenon that is an integral element in wealth creation is being replaced by college education. In this regard, the duration required to complete education is not consistent with the expectations of a college graduate. Another problem associated with college education in the United States is that a majority of students do not graduate with a diploma after undergoing four years of education. From this perspective, the purpose of college education has been questioned.
A need to reduce the cost of college education in the country is necessary. Reduction of college education cost can be achieved by reducing college years from 4 to 3 years. Introducing flexible learning processes in college as a form of continuous improvement and innovations is now inevitable. The introduction of online education can also be integral in reducing the cost of college education. In addition, other alternatives apart from college education can be promoted in the form of vocational training and entrepreneurship.
Cost of college education
According to Lamar Alexander, “the current cost of college education in the United States costs more than $43,000 in four years compared to three year” (29). From this perspective, this amount could be saved if the duration is reduced by 1 year. Alexander likens the cost of college education to the current cost of fuel.
Alexander compares college education with three automobile companies like General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. In his comparison, Alexander reckons how the companies lost their competitive advantage to Japanese automobile companies who were more efficient and reliable in terms of cost. In this context, in order to accrue cost efficiency and reliability, college years have to be reduced.
James Altucher is not amused by the high cost of college education. The author remarks how one can transform the college tuition fees into something worthwhile. Altucher argues from experience by advocating for better use of money than for college education (Altucher 1A). From this perspective, the aspect of entrepreneurship and travelling becomes an important element to consider for young people.
Jacques Steinberg agrees that the high cost of college education is inconsistent with the current outcomes from the same. According to him, “college education is now an overrated concept in the United States” (Steinberg 1A). In this regard, many of the college graduates do not attain required college grades or are rendered unemployed upon school completion. Current statistics show that at least 80% of the college students do not attain a diploma or a degree after paying hefty tuition fees.
Lack of flexibility
Bollinger, Crow, Hansen and Zemsky agree that American college education lacks innovation (31). There is a concern that lack of flexibility on how education is conducted affects the outcomes of the same as evidenced in jobless college graduates. Lack of effective solutions for socio-economic problems in the American society can be attributed to ineffective college education system.
Bollinger, Crow, Hansen and Zemsky points argue that the existing fixed knowledge base causes inflexibility in education (30). From this perspective, a need to expand the knowledge base through other learning alternatives becomes imminent. The current college education is complicated and requires simplicity. This simplicity can be in form of simpler and faster means to achieve a college education goal.
The current semester structure in one academic year shows how the education system is rigid at the moment. Nevertheless, ignoring economic constraints that affect college education is ill-advised. College institutions and education policy makers need to understand that the prevalence in college drop-outs is due to increasing economic problems. Perhaps, reducing the number of college years and compressing semesters would be a good initiative in controlling the rate of college drop-outs.
Lack of education alternatives like online-education has inhibited the effectiveness of college education in the United States. In fact, this explains why American universities are no longer competitive than European universities that offer online programs. As indicated earlier, current problems facing college education in the United States can be attributed to lack of innovation.
The conventional belief that only college education can guarantee an individual’s eligibility to attain a job is ill-advised. Failure to promote vocational training and mastery of talents has raised questions about the importance of college education. James Altucher claims there are alternatives that can be focused even more than college education. Altucher points out that the lack of flexibility has ignored the potential of art, writing and talents in wealth creation (Altucher 1A).
Solution
Lamar Alexander’s 3 year solution is effective in reducing the exorbitant cost of education. Alexander’s experience in the University of Tennessee and George Washington University shows that some learning facilities still remain closed and idle during summer holidays.
Alexander argues that summer holidays offer the opportunity to deliver learning services to willing part-time students (27). This means that college institutions will be able to optimize on their institutions and accrue enough funds to accommodate more students and consequently reducing the cost of education.
Moreover, establishing a 3 year college diplomas, students will be saving 25 % of the total regular education cost (28). From this perspective, a student will have to enroll for part-time education during the summer and pay an extra amount. However, operating a college facility all year round means that students will have no time to rest and accrue intellectual experience.
Flexibility and college education can now be achieved through online programs. In addition, scheduling programs by including summer holiday as part of learning time can reduce time and cost of college education. Online learning is integral in improving learning behaviors among college students. This promotes research-oriented learning that is critical for college education and competitiveness.
In conclusion, persistence of the current college education can be avoided by advocating for other learning alternatives. The alternatives would be crucial in reducing education cost and providing the necessary flexibility required in education. The conventional belief that college education creates employment and wealth is now surpassed by opportunities in art, talents and entrepreneurship.
Corporate apprenticeships, vocational and career training are now ranked as the most promising and sought out alternatives that create jobs across America. Reducing college education to 3 years is now critical in providing colleges with the required competitive advantage.
Works Cited
Altucher, James. “Skip the Diploma: 8 Alternatives to College.” MSNBC 29 March. 2011: 1A. Print.
Bollinger, Lee, Crow, Michael, Hansen, T. Elaine and Zemsky, Robert. “What’s College for Anyway?: A Symposium.” Newsweek 26 Oct. 2009: 30-33. Print.
Alexander, Lamar. “The Three Year Solution: How the Reinventions of Higher Education Benefits Parents, Students, and Schools.” Newsweek 26 Oct. 2009: 26-29. Print.
Steinberg, Jacques. “Plan B: Skip College.” The New York Times 15 May. 2010: 1A Print.