Research Blog #4 Research Proposal

John Styslinger

Professor Michael Goeller

College! 201

18 October 2016

College Tuition Spikes, The Cause And Effect

            Topic

After the first couple weeks of initial research, I have decided to address the recent rise in college tuition. This topic is interesting, not only because of the causes, but also because of the effects. For example, the spikes in college tuition are further helping to uphold the inequality that exists in our country. Many people that come from low-income areas cannot afford the prices that colleges are demanding and even the ones that do go get caught up in a massive student loan. The causes for rising tuition could be related to the privatization of higher education. With more privatization the states begin to give less money to the schools, which has been happening, and that causes tuition to go up.

            Research Question

            Why have the tuitions of colleges been going up so fast recently and what are the repercussions of this rise? I feel that this topic has enough controversy surrounding it to be seen from several angles. First of all, what are the main factors behind these spikes in tuition and why have they come about? Many people, even those who have already finished college, have such strong opinions on this topic because the majority of people in the country are affected by this. Anyone who wants to further their education by attending college will have to deal with these tuitions and that is why it is such a big deal. The price has never been the deciding factor on whether or not someone attends college or not. Although, recently it is beginning to be weighed very heavily when someone is making the decision and this is in-turn is a factor in the effects of the rise in tuition.

Theoretical Frame

            Throughout reading numerous resources, I have learned of several reasons behind this tuition increase. One of the explanations for this hike in tuition is that the states are cutting their subsidies for public colleges and universities and this in-turn causes those institutions to raise their prices. Another factor that comes into play is the idea that these colleges are spending more money and therefore raising tuition to cover these costs. The additional spending could be in areas such as paying faculty more, hiring more faculty, or even building new classrooms or sports arenas. The effects of these rises cause more serious problems than one would think. It heavily affects people that come from low-income families because they cannot afford these high tuitions and this prevents them from furthering their education and just maintains the current gap between the rich and the poor. Similarly to the articles we read for class, this topic affects the middle class as well because if they do decide to go to college and take out loans, they are in for a long and difficult payoff period.

Case

            One reason for the rise in tuition could be linked to colleges spending more money and therefore raising their price to cover their costs. The reasons for colleges spending more money could be because of raising faculty salaries and hiring more administrative faculty. This is a controversy because many make the case that these people have no direct part in either teaching or research and therefore, their numbers should be kept at a minimum. For example at Louisiana State University, their state funding was cut by a third and because of this they got rid of an administrative position and that position’s job was filled by other administrators. Other states are noting this change made by Louisiana State University and are beginning to realize they may have to make similar changes as well.

Working Bibliography

Davidson, Adam. Is College Tuition Really Too High? (n.d.): n. pag. New York Times, 8 Sept. 2015. Web. 

Engler, Mark. "Why Is College So Damned Expensive?." New Internationalist 475 (2014): 33. Left Index. Web. 11 Oct. 2016.

Farrell, Elizabeth F. "Public-College Tuition Rise Is Largest in 3 Decades." The Chronicle of Higher Education. N.p., 31 Oct. 2003. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.

Isaacs, Julia, Isabel V. Sawhill, and Ron Haskins. Getting Ahead or Losing Ground: Economic Mobility in America. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 2008. Web.

Marcus, Jon. "The Reason Behind Colleges' Ballooning Bureaucracies." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

Matthews, Dylan. "Introducing ‘The Tuition Is Too Damn High’." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

McMurrer, Daniel P., and Isabel V. Sawhill. Getting Ahead: Economic and Social Mobility in America. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute, 1998. Print.

Mitchell, Michael. "State Higher Ed Cuts Largely Driving Recent Tuition Hikes."Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

Wexler, Ellen. "Study: Increased Student Aid, Not Faculty Salaries, Drives Tuition up." Study:

Increased Student Aid, Not Faculty Salaries, Drives Tuition up. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

Woodhouse, Kellie. "Report Says Administrative Bloat, Construction Booms Not Largely

Responsible for Tuition Increases." Report Says Administrative Bloat, Construction Booms Not Largely Responsible for Tuition Increases. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.