College tuition is too high says writer

Published 12:21 pm Friday, May 19, 2023

To the Editor:

 The high school class of 2023 will soon be graduating high school and starting college. I enjoy seeing the pictures of the graduates in the Elizabethton Star. I don’t enjoy attending graduation ceremonies. George Will said American colleges owe students an apology because the cost of tuition has increased four times faster than inflation. As a result, American college students have record student loan debt. Many students pay tuition for a few semesters and then leave college with debt but no degree. As a result, American students owe over one trillion dollars in student loan debt. Sadly, many will never be able to own a home because of their student loans!

College tuition is too high in Tennessee. College education is overpriced and may be a money making scam at some colleges. Internet online unaccredited colleges are always money making scams and their credits aren’t transferrable to another college. It’s taking students longer than four years to graduate. They have shirts that say, “College the best six years of my life.” As a result, students can’t depend on the Tennessee Hope Lottery Scholarship to pay their complete tuition. One way to have lower debt and better grades is to live at home and not on campus while attending college. The average cost in Tennessee of living on campus is $9,861 or $10,192 for off-campus.  One could easily drive to class at E.T.S.U., Milligan University or King University in Bristol. I drove to E.T.S.U. for two years and took their Army R.O.T.C. program, then transferred to the University of Tennessee and took their Air Force R.O.T.C. program and graduated with a degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant. I got my Masters Degree from George College while in the military. Many employers, such as Walmart offer some free college classes or scholarships for their employees.

For the academic year 2022-2023, the average undergraduate tuition and fees of Tennessee colleges was $5,766 for in-state and $16,824 for out-of-state. Vanderbilt University has the most expensive tuition and fees of $60,348. Books and supplies cost over $1300 per year. The value of a college education has decreased and a college education doesn’t guarantee you a good job. At least one-third of all college graduates will always be underemployed and never benefit financially from their degree. One study found over 800,000 college graduates are underemployed and working behind the register at retail stores like Walmart, flipping burgers and waiting on tables and janitors!  Good electricians and plumbers make more than most college graduates.

 C.S. Lewis said, “God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than any other slacker.” The wisest thing for the high school class of 2023 and everyone else to do is as the Bible says “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Jesus).” As one pastor said, “to be wise, keep your face in the book (Bible) not on Facebook.” Read and study the Bible before you read and study any college textbook. The Bible contains more wisdom than all textbooks and professors combined. Most professors are as the Bible says in 2 Timothy 3, “Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “I feel that a comprehensive study of the Bible is a  liberal education for anyone.” President Theodore Roosevelt said, “No educated man can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.” President John Adams said, “The Bible is the best book in the world. It contains more than all the libraries I have seen.”

It’s harder to teach college age students or other adults than ever before because their pride makes them unteachable. Pride also causes conflict and keeps people from Jesus, who is their greatest need. The late Christian scholar Chuck Missler said, “the greatest obstacle (hindrance) to the truth is to think you already have it.” Most people benefit from college if they don’t incur huge debt and don’t get indoctrinated with extreme left or communist or socialist philosophies. The Bible warns in many places to stay out of debt. Romans 13 says, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another…” The Bible warns, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ Jesus.” The Bible warns, “Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” For at least one-third of college graduates that find they spend four years or more of their life incurring huge loans for the opportunity to be unemployed or underemployed the rest of their life, the college diploma and tassel isn’t worth the hassle! To achieve success, a college degree is no guarantee!

D.D. Nave

Elizabethton