Let’s Talk About the True Cost―and True Value―of a College Education
Preview:
As a college president, I am often asked the same two questions: “Why does college cost so much?” and” Is it really worth it?”
I usually start my answer with a statistic some find surprising: despite the headlines, post-high school educational attainment in the U.S. is at an all-time high. Just last month, the Lumina Foundation released a report demonstrating that 54.9% of working-age adults in the U.S. hold a degree or credential―a 17% increase since 2008.
Originally published: March 19, 2025
Author: Robin H. Holmes-Sullivan
Position: President
Institution: Lewis & Clark College
Published by: Diverse Issues in Higher Education