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by melling 3217 days ago
With the cost of education in the US being so expensive and the constant call for student loan forgiveness ($1 trillion), it might be worth looking into the extra cost. I’m sure Stanford isn’t unique.

The cost of a university education has far outpaced inflation. Harvard cost $2,600 in 1970.

https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/16/why-college-costs-are-so-hig...
2 comments
greglindahl 3217 days ago
At Stanford, there's no connection between university undergraduate cost and price. Tuition is an unimportant part of the budget.
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melling 3217 days ago
First, I was talking about the extra cost, in general, with all universities.

Second, since you brought it up, can you explain how they determine the cost of tuition? If it’s unimportant maybe they can simply eliminate it for everyone. Are other universities the same?

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dragonwriter 3217 days ago
> If it’s unimportant maybe they can simply eliminate it for everyone

Sticker price is an important value signal, which draws elites who, as alumnae, support the institution, so what elite universities do is have high sticker prices and then internal need-based financial aid packages that cover much of the costs for non-wealthy students. This also, incidentally, maximizes tuition revenue, as those who can pay from their own pocket or outside scholarships do pay. But maximizes revenue is incidental, because tuition is not the main source of revenue.

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justadeveloper2 3217 days ago
If that is the case then something is out of whack.
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FullMtlAlcoholc 3217 days ago
Actually, it is unique in that cost is no barrier to receiving an education at Stanford.
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melling 3217 days ago
No, it isn’t unique. Many elite/expensive schools offer either free or heavily discounted tuition for lower and middle income students.

http://nordic.businessinsider.com/how-ivy-league-financial-a...

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FullMtlAlcoholc 3217 days ago
The point I was making is that the cost of an education is uncoupled (at elite universities) from the ability to afford it.

It may be hopelessly optimistic, but I think that eventually, tuition will and should be eliminated for everyone.. As it stands now, where students from wealthier families pay more, it is a good consolation prize.

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