Is Higher Education Worth the Price?

Articles/Documentary feedback 

 "Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission?" by  Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus 

The authors challenge the concept that a college degree is necessary for success. They point out how so many people go into college not knowing the career prospects and economic benefits that a degree may or may not provide when they graduate. The authors also draw attention to the fact that society tries to emphasize on college saying that it's the only pathway to succeed in life. What isn’t talked about is the ridiculous oversupply of college graduates that are underemployed and stuck with a significant amount of debt. They also bring up the fact that the high tuition rates are not justified by the education they are receiving. They talk about how the tuition rates are not fair to students and that they need to increase financial aid and expand on vocational education options so young adults have more options that can benefit them. 

"The New Liberal Rights” by Sanford J. Ungar

Ungar argues that traditional liberal rights are being overshadowed by bringing rights that focus on issues like dignity, cultural preservation, and privacy together. He talks about the role of cultural relativism and diversity in shaping the concept of rights. He brings up the different cultures and societies that may have different interpretations of rights and understanding different perspectives. He argues for a broad approach that can take into account the cultural contexts in which rights are practiced and understood better. He doesn’t only touch base on political and civil rights. Ungar also speaks highly about rights such as environment, medical, and education as well. 

"Kenyon Commencement Speech” by David Foster Wallace

Wallace touches base on the fact that graduates need to be more compassionate towards life. They need to understand the meaning of life, and live life to the fullest and appreciate it more. He talks about how real education involves becoming aware of our daily decisions and choosing how we will respond to our actions. The author wants us to understand the concept of empathy and the importance of considering the way other individuals think and react. He encourages the graduates to leave their comfort zone and to break free from their own egos to reach out and recognize the struggles that others may go through around them. He ends with talking about how every single person is capable of shaping their own lives and being able to embrace life of open-mindedness and selflessness. 

"Is College Worth the Cost? The Inventory Tower" by CNN Films

This documentary focuses on the question if college is worth the price or not. Over the years, college tuition is going up drastically and most people in the United States cannot afford it. There are many issues that this documentary touches base on but the main issue is college tuition. This documentary talks about how you are often told that going to college will help you financially in the end, but is that even true? He touches base on how people are in so much debt that they aren’t going to be benefited financially after college if they are paying tuition back.  
Video link to check out to listen to the pros and cons of higher education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m51ugQnhkc

What was concluded? Overall, there are both advantages and disadvantages to higher education. Higher education can offer a lot of advantages such as skill development, personal growth, networking opportunities, and specialized knowledge. There are also many disadvantages including high cost, time commitment, potential mental health issues, and debt. It is important for individuals to figure out whether or not the pros outweigh the cons or if the cons outweigh the pros.