1A The College Affordability Crisis
Feb 4, 2025
John Marcus, a senior higher education reporter at the Hechinger Report, and Catherine Bond-Hill, an economist and former president of Vassar College, dive into the pressing college affordability crisis. They discuss the largest graduating class set for 2025 amidst declining enrollment due to lower birth rates. The duo emphasizes the financial strains on families, particularly rising housing costs exceeding tuition fees. They also explore innovative solutions like community college pathways to help alleviate the burden and ensure accessible education for future students.
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Claire's College Affordability Journey
- Claire, a parent from Maryland, has two college-aged kids attending in-state schools.
- She cobbled together scholarships and saved diligently to afford their education.
Demographic Cliff
- The graduating class of 2025 is projected to be the largest ever at 3.9 million students.
- Birth rates connected to the 2008 recession will cause a sharp drop in high school seniors next year.
Children's College Choices
- Claire's son was recruited for baseball, influencing his college choice, and received athletic and academic scholarships.
- Her daughter strategically chose an in-state school, negotiating to use the saved money for medical school.