Re:Student Loan Debt Is Now as Big as the U.S. Junk Bond Market
by csomar on Tuesday December 05, 2017 @02:30PM
(#15854941)
This was not my experience. I think the University in this case matters; and thus we shall not conclude that all of them are useless or priceless.
My opinion is that many (I'd say most but I'm not certain) of the universities in the US are pretty good.
Re:Student Loan Debt Is Now as Big as the U.S. Junk Bond Market
by smokeyj on Tuesday December 05, 2017 @01:33PM
(#15854284)
Degrees are cost prohibitive and there's no incentive to increase supply. Higher costs signal exclusivity and prestige - which I would argue is the true value of a degree. It's an item of luxury that is intended to open doors for you.
If we could objectively measure the tangible benefits of a degree and replicate it with a low cost alternative - it still wouldn't carry the same prestige because it's not exclusionary. I think the greatest barrier to truly accessible education is our status seeking behavior.
Studying for a degree involves more than just reading a book. A good degree (no matter what major you choose) should leave you with the skills and capabilities to learn and teach yourself new skills. This - not the knowledge gained - is by far the most valuable takeaway that I have from my studies: Oh, I need to learn about the problem space X. How do I start, research, teach myself things about something previously unknown. School teaches knowledge, university learning skills.