Columnist Blames External Forces for Rising University Costs
An Inside Higher Ed columnist argues rising university costs are driven by government legislation, industry underinvestment, and financial services, not
The rising cost of higher education is not caused by mismanagement within universities but by external forces, according to a columnist for Inside Higher Ed. The writer, whose recent columns have focused on explaining price increases, contends that unfunded government mandates, industry reliance on graduate pipelines, and financial sector practices are making affordable education impossible for most students.
The Legislation That Eats Away at Financial Footing
State and federal legislation is making it harder for institutions to stay afloat, the columnist states. The argument is that unfunded mandates, taxes on endowments, and decreasing public funding hinder universities from keeping costs down for students and participating in workforce development. The columnist asserts that government should be supporting, not hindering, higher education.
Higher Education Overgrazing by Fixed Costs
Rising fixed costs are described as similar to overgrazing livestock, damaging the financial balance needed for affordability. The columnist notes that costs for utilities, insurance, food services, maintenance, and construction outpace revenue from tuition, fees, and room and board. These expenses, which are major budget items for residential colleges, are largely not controlled by the institutions themselves.
Industry Sponging Off Graduate Training
The healthcare industry's nursing shortage is cited as a key example of industry underinvestment. The columnist references Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of 189,100 annual openings for registered nurses through 2034 and a national shortage of 267,000 full-time RNs by 2028. Yet, hospitals and healthcare systems are not paying to produce these nurses, leaving the cost with universities, students, families, and taxpayers. The columnist says this pattern is repeated in fields like cybersecurity and data analytics, where industries that hire graduates do not invest in the educational pipeline.
Foxes, Ticks, and Leeches
Professional athletics and the entertainment industry are accused of using higher education as an incubator, taking graduates without contributing to their development. Student loan lenders, investment firms, and banks are compared to parasites, extracting value through high interest rates and fees. The columnist claims these financial practices weaken higher education's ability to serve students.
The columnist concludes there is no free lunch in higher education, and the cost is currently borne by institutions and students instead of being a shared responsibility. The public, legislators, and industry are urged to fund mandates, cap costs, demand industry contributions, and find public solutions to pay for college.
