[wlucas]

What makes all the difference in the world now compared to the jaw-dropping prices in '81 is we have alternative education options. There were virtually no other paths to career success 30 years ago... heck... 15 years ago! A traditional path towards a degree was the only way to assure a positive career outlook.

I don't think MOOCs are the panacea, but all types of learning resources (books, classes, organizations, events, people) are all more accessible. The entrepreneurial approach to learning.

[dpark]

I feel like this is backwards. 30 years ago you could potentially work your way up the ladder without a degree. Now you need a degree to get a job working in a coffee shop, because college degrees are so ubiquitous that they've become a prerequisite for employment at many places.

Sure, you could do some learning on your own now, but you could also do that 30 years ago, and I'm not certain most employers are going to put much stock in self-directed education regardless, not when there are so many underemployed college grads available.

[nommm-nommm]

Totally backwards.

I know a lot of people in their 30s-50s who would never be able to get hired for their jobs now since new hires in their position need a college degree which, by the way, is hilariously stupid. Employers expect you to have a college degree to clean the toilets now.