Originally Posted by
gloopy
Big Ed is not only a scam but one of the most toxic, devistating and unsustainable debt bubbles brewing on the horizon today. Most degrees for most people aren't worth nearly what they cost and a great many of them are worthless even if they were free. 6 figures for a public library reading list with a side guarantee of little to no job experience and an added bonus of a 4 year time capsule preservation of the high school mentality/maturity plus alcohol and pre-aprooved credit card offers.
College used to be where people went who had a plan. Now its the place to go when you don't have a plan. And an entitlement no less!
Of course there are some degrees for some people that will truly pay off. Some fields that still have a solid ROI. The ranks of companies auto-preffing degrees will probably shrink and airlines will likely be among those. Keep in mind though that, for a while, even at airlines where degrees aren't required, that doesn't mean it won't at least help a little to have one, and you have one anyway regardless. Kind of like TPIC. Very few airlines require it, and they all hire some pilots with little to none of it, but it always helps to have some.
For now.
Again, agreed. I'm not saying I didn't learn anything in school, but I'm not sure it's worth what I paid (am paying) for it. As you say, I could have learned almost as much for a few dollars in public library fines, maybe less if I were responsible. The only reason I'm gainfully employed is because I learned how to fly while also going to school. And while I'm not getting rich by any stretch, my non-flying friends as a group are pretty well screwed. Jobs are hard to find and the ones they have been able to get have no use for their liberal arts degrees.
I have kept in touch with people who majored in engineering and such and they've done well. This is perhaps one of few legitimate purposes for higher education. Certainly the world needs theater and Latino studies majors, just not nearly as many. Nobody bothers to mention this on freshman indoc day.
At least I'll be prepared if I need to talk about Nietzsche or a Nash equilibrium or the power rule in my Delta interview.
Originally Posted by
ShyGuy
Student loan debt in America? 1 trillion. That's trillion with a 'T'
And it is the only thing in bankruptcy you can't get a shake on.
Think outside the box. Use your credit cards, home equity, and any other dischargeable debt you can get your hands on to pay off your student loans, then file BK. I'm not advocating this, but it could be done.