How Much Does College Cost?

Scope 

In the current day, it is evident that the global population agrees on the increasing cost of college which should be brought down by all means. The discussion on the same has been deliberated on through the evaluation and analytical perusal of literature in peer reviewed websites such as Expanded American ASAP that have indicated there the current costs of college tuition is at an all-time high (Wexler 2016) . Various reasons have been provided to justify this. According to the grounds given, due to the increased salaries, it has lead to the increase in college tuition making higher education very costly. When analyzing the changes that have occurred within the past decade regarding college costs, it is evident that is has quadrupled. In comparison with the household increment over the same period, it has only increased by 50% (Clark 2015) . This translates to households saving college funds for a much longer period than required. The only solutions provided at the moment in handling the costs are grants and Pell. However, regardless of these solutions, other issues have arisen that further complicated the issuance of the same. For instance, according to statistics, in the past two decades, there has been a considerable reduction in the coverage offered by scholarships and grants with the drop being from 75% to only 33% (Clark 2015) . From this cut, families have been forced to paying up to 67 cents more as compared to the 25 cents for each dollar paid in earlier years (Weisenstein 2013) . From a practical angle, this means that families are being forced to take loans to handle the pressure from paying college funds. 

The devaluation of degree attainment as a career requirement has also significantly affected the cost of higher education (Clark 2015) . In the workforce industry, possessing a degree has been devalued becoming a minimum requirement necessary for job security thus further indicating the de-appreciation of the efforts directed towards gaining academic merits at the bachelor’s level. During the 1960’s, there average salary for professions was $ 4743 whereas a teacher's wage was $ 5147. In comparison to the current day, the average remuneration is approximate $ 55,000 and for teachers being constant at $ 45,000 (Clark 2015) . From this rubric depicted, it is clearly evident that there is overwhelmingly educational devaluation. This issue is justified by the fact that it is considered a loop which is self-fulfilling as the education becomes more extensive with time. In both instances, it is evident there are endless examples that can demonstrate the increasing rise of college costs and its reduced importance onto the degree holders. 

Theoretical Perspective 

The central theory that can be used in explaining the increase in college costs is functionalism. In definition, this theory is elaborate in addressing issues concerning the social structure from a holistic angle it terms of its necessary functionality of itself and its constituents. According to Hebert Spencer, this theory highly prioritizes the institutional norms and practices that are conserved as composites contributing towards the proper functioning of the societal structure. Thus, in this case, from a socio-economic angle, the stratification observed in educational levels plays determinant in the cost to offset any imbalance in the financial operations o the particular community or state. This is particularly evidential in the fact that education is considered as a reproduction of the status of the societal system. Another aspect to consider when analyzing this issue of functionalism as theory elaborative in creating comprehension concerning high college costs is social evolutionism which is a notion within the theory. According to Giddens, the evolution of the society in determining the following observations made in the various elements within it such as the economy, education amongst others. 

Recommendations 

Change the desire that substantial obligation is satisfactory. Incorporate back courses in secondary school that incorporate approaches to wipe out or lessen education debt (Weisenstein 1978) . Numerous have brought up the vanity of attempting to work through school since the cost is so high and the compensation for section level employments is so poor. In any case, understudies can begin at neighborhood universities, stock up on AP level courses, apply for school credit, and set aside the opportunity to consider exchange work, specialized universities, and different employments that may intrigue them (Lewis 2016) . On the off chance that more understudies begin picking the universities that offer them the best arrangement, more schools will be compelled to consider whether their expenses are excessively swelled, making it impossible to keep up a sound foundation (Wexler 2016) . A portion of the administrative changes recommended by researchers like Sandy Baum in the past has been received by the Obama organization. This step incorporates expanding Pell Grants and direct loaning from the administration, instead of through banks. This action permits the citizens to profit by the premium paid by understudies, furthermore, spares cash in government endowments to loan specialists (Lewis 2016) . It additionally incorporates the interest in junior colleges, which are for the most part more receptive to their groups than bigger organizations. Baum, however, ran promote with her proposals, demanding that the whole framework is streamlined, rather such a large number of boutique projects, so as to make simpler for understudies and less expensive to oversee. Baum additionally suggests organizing most guide on entirely require based criteria. 

Another solution that has been proposed is that the government should carefully consider exploring an approach that involved calculation of the actual costs spent n higher education as compared to the current expenditure. Research elaborates that the government spends an approximated $127 billion in allocating education within the state budget (Clark 2015) . Despite the fact that this might be considered as a substantial amount, when compared to the expenditure used in servicing grants and Pell, the government uses a considerable amount which is way more than it would need to allocate for education. For instance, it spent an approximated $104 billion servicing students loans and estimated $35 billion on providing Pell grants. There is also an additional $10 billion that is directed towards offering financial aid for educational institutions and in support of the higher education, it also provides $80 million shillings. Through having a transparent budget on the expenditure required in offering affordable education and its implementation, the government is likely to save billions of dollars worth of taxes and ensure that all American students have opportunities to study at a college level and gain entry into the workforce without any substantial debt to offset. 

Redirecting a portion of the revenue generated from trades that involve bonds, stocks and other fiscal elements towards funding higher education might solve this social problem that has been plaguing America and other global states as well (Fisher 2016) . According to research conducted by the American Association of University Professors, financial speculation transactions offer a platform for the government to comfortably fund higher education without cutting into the national budget. Because such taxes are familiar with members of the Senate and House, the allocation of this taxes in catering to public higher education is easier and effectual in curbing the rising college costs (Fisher 2016) . The execution of this strategy can be done through cutting tuition rates thus ensuring that higher education becomes more affordable for families. Also, the remainder can be utilized through redirecting it in catering to instructional spending that will facilitate the increase in more students enrolling for elective classes through the assistance provided by the funding as well as advice received from the tenure track facility on graduation rates and instructional quality of the courses selected. 

Numerous things we can bedone to enhance the cost proportion for school. There is an inclination when confronting huge issues to whine about how an issue is essentially too expensive to handle (Fisher 2016) . The reality, in any case, is that what bigger issues manage the cost of are significantly more chances to make important enhancements. It is essential, however, not to oversight changes, or even development, for enhancements. As more individuals caution that advanced education could go the method for the lodging market, we would do well to act quickly additionally keenly, and by whatever methods accessible. It is impossible for the future generations to thrive in a nation where the educationally gifted and talented and unappreciated. The community requires the vast work of the considerable number of individuals of the country to be esteemed. The community is in need of handymen, specialists, instructors, cooks, culinary experts, business visionaries, and that is just the beginning (Fisher 2016) . It is impossible to proceed in a way that requires mentally talented youngsters from poor foundations to home loan many years of their future to achieve the abilities required for them to thrive as a general public and a country. 

References: 

Clark, Kim. 2015. "College Board Says Tuition Rose Faster Than Inflation Again This Year". MONEY.Com . http://time.com/money/4098683/college-board-tuition-cost-rose-inflation-2015/.

Fisher, Dylan. 2016. "Funding Higher Ed: Three Solutions". University Business Magazine . https://www.universitybusiness.com/article/funding-higher-ed-three-solutions.

Lewis, Michael. 2016. "7 Ways To Reduce The Cost Of A College Education". Moneycrashers.Com . http://www.moneycrashers.com/ways-reduce-cost-college-education/ .

Weisenstein, Kristina. 2013. "College Costs". The Physics Teacher 16 (7): 428. doi:10.1119/1.2340019.

Wexler, Ellen. 2016. "Study: Increased Student Aid, Not Faculty Salaries, Drives Tuition Up". Insidehighered.Com . https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/02/09/study-increased-student-aid-not-faculty-salaries-drives-tuition.