Post-secondary education is a monetary exchange like any other.

Colleges offer an education (along with room and board in many instances) and a degree in exchange for some price. Students are free to accept or decline this offer for themselves.

The true problem is not the price of college, which changes expectedly with the supply and demand for college degrees.

The true problem is that our society imprints the idea into all young people that college is the only path for them. This, of course, skyrockets the demand for college degrees and allows colleges to charge a premium.

There are many paths available to kids fresh out of high school, and in a world where skills are becoming ever more valuable than degrees, college should be less appealing.

Unfortunately, most of these kids follow the path of least resistance. Conditioned to do so from an early age, they go into whatever debt necessary to attend whatever school will have them, and often without a clear idea of how they will use their promised degree to achieve success later in life.

I’m not saying that college is a scam. Some people, with a clear vision of their future and how they will use their degree (and who won’t go into financial ruin before then) have a valid reason for attending college.

I am saying that you should at least consider your alternatives.

If you think college is too expensive for what it offers you (i.e. if their offer is unfair), decline the offer, don’t go to college, and forge your own path.