CNN is reporting about a Monroe College graduate who is suing her Alma Mater for $72,000 because she has been unable to land job. In many ways, I find the article disturbing because not only does the student appear unwilling to accept any responsibility for her own plight, but also because I don’t believe people should use our courts to address every ill (real or perceived) that afflicts society.
Nevertheless, as a futurist, I find the report fascinating because I believe a number of students are going to begin questioning the wisdom of spending $50,000; $75,000 and upwards of $200,000 for a college education that offers—in many cases—marginal value.
I have written about the future of college before (here and here) and I remain convinced that in the future it will matter far less where students receive their degrees. What will matter is a student’s ability to demonstrate knowledge. The reality is that the world is awash in free knowledge and the future belongs to those who can assimilate it and apply it in meaningful ways—regardless of whether they received it for free or, as in the case of the suing student, $72,000.
Now, I am not saying that college and university will go away. I am merely implying that savvy and self-motivated students (and their parents) will no longer be willing to pay exorbitant tuition fees. Colleges and universities, if they wish to stay relevant in the future, must address the issue of rising tuition costs.
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