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My point is that it's extraordinarily cheap compared to what I'd expect to pay for a "best in the world" anything else, not that it's affordable. It would be c

by lsc 11y ago

My point is that it's extraordinarily cheap compared to what I'd expect to pay for a "best in the world" anything else, not that it's affordable. It would be crazy, I think, to expect a 'best in the world' education without it costing a substantial amount of money. I'm not saying it's fair to a kid making that decision, and personally, I think that bankruptcy laws are central to civilization. I'm just saying that it's amazing how cheap a 'best in the world' education is. Certainly, I don't oppose the government just paying for colleges; after all, that's a big part of why Berkeley is so cheaper. I'm just saying that running a good school takes money, and the fact that the best in the world schools (at least by my perception) are so cheap is a counterpoint to this idea that costs are spiraling out of control.

mikeash 11y ago
Costs have increased a ton, so unless the quality has also increased a ton, it doesn't seem crazy to expect a "best in the world" education for substantially less money. And the whole non-computer world matters a lot, here. Most people go their entire lives without ever having the means to buy two high-end cars. Start paying that when you're 18 and the cost of financing goes up substantially, too.
fasteddie 11y ago
Well, by definition, very few people are best in the world. And we still want most of the rest to get a college education. Not to mention "the best in the world" schools tend to attract students from very wealthy families, who don't need tuition support as much.
- lsc 11y ago
  >Well, by definition, very few people are best in the world. And we still want most of the rest to get a college education. Why is that? speaking as someone who doesn't have a college education, I'm fairly certain I would be less wealthy, by a good bit, had I gone to a mediocre school rather than no school at all. I mean, there are non-monetary benefits to school, too, and while I'm looking to go to college now - I just wasn't ready at 17. It seems to me like the problem is the number of jobs that look for a degree even though college is little more than a class filter for them.

by lsc 11y ago

mikeash 11y ago

Costs have increased a ton, so unless the quality has also increased a ton, it doesn't seem crazy to expect a "best in the world" education for substantially less money. And the whole non-computer world matters a lot, here. Most people go their entire lives without ever having the means to buy two high-end cars. Start paying that when you're 18 and the cost of financing goes up substantially, too.

fasteddie 11y ago

Well, by definition, very few people are best in the world. And we still want most of the rest to get a college education. Not to mention "the best in the world" schools tend to attract students from very wealthy families, who don't need tuition support as much.

lsc 11y ago
>Well, by definition, very few people are best in the world. And we still want most of the rest to get a college education. Why is that? speaking as someone who doesn't have a college education, I'm fairly certain I would be less wealthy, by a good bit, had I gone to a mediocre school rather than no school at all. I mean, there are non-monetary benefits to school, too, and while I'm looking to go to college now - I just wasn't ready at 17. It seems to me like the problem is the number of jobs that look for a degree even though college is little more than a class filter for them.