It is not typical for me to express a positive view of higher education in this platform. Back in August 2023, I wrote an article titled “It’s Over: Higher Ed in the Rearview Mirror,” where I stated that the belief in higher education as a place for personal growth beyond future employability was a thing of the past.
However, this week I will deviate from my usual stance and explore potential signs of hope. If our previous perceptions of higher education are indeed behind us, maybe there is something promising on the horizon that we should acknowledge.
One piece of good news is that recent research by the College Board shows that when considering student aid and inflation, tuition at public two- and four-year institutions is more affordable this year compared to the previous year.
This trend has been ongoing since 2020. The study, indexed to the cost of college in 1994–95, reveals that in 2024–25, tuition and fees for four-year public colleges are approximately twice as much as they were 30 years ago, adjusted for inflation.
While this is not ideal, it brings current costs to a level similar to those of 2009–10. Essentially, we have reset to the costs that were in place when doubts about the value of a college education first arose. It is not perfect, but it signifies undeniable progress.
Another positive development comes from an opinion piece by Kevin Carey and Sophie Nguyen of New America, which argues that higher education is not as unpopular and mistrusted as portrayed.
They base their argument on several observations:
- Public trust in various institutions has declined, with higher education still ranking higher than others such as the medical system, organized religion, public schools, and television news.
- Negative sentiments about education are tied to political polarization rather than direct negative experiences with higher education. Most people still believe that the institutions they engage with are doing a good job.
- There is still a desire for government intervention to make education affordable, indicating a preference for improving rather than abandoning higher education.
As the authors note, people do not want to give up on higher education; they want it to improve.
Despite the positive trends in affordability, there has been a more than 5 percent decline in first-year student enrollment. The drop was particularly significant at four-year public institutions, which experienced an 8.5 percent decrease in first-year students.
Liam Knox of Inside Higher Ed suggests various reasons for this decline, including issues with the new FAFSA rollout that may have discouraged potential students from applying. Community college enrollment, on the other hand, saw growth, partly due to an increase in dual-enrollment students who bypass the FAFSA process.
In my opinion, higher education should focus on fulfilling its core missions and making education accessible to those seeking it. The consumer-focused model has reached its limits, and institutions must prioritize sustainable thinking and core values.
It may not be easy, but the public has made their desires clear. By aligning with these expectations, higher education can pave the way for a more promising future, potentially attracting increased support and resources.