Higher education’s costs are becoming out of reach for too many Kentucky students

When I was in high school, many years ago, parents and teachers conventionally pushed all students towards college. College attendance was their measure of success, as parents and as teachers, and they told us it was our best chance for success in terms of lifetime earnings. Of course, college is not for everyone. We recognize that an emphasis on higher education devalues the talents and aspirations of very bright students interested in skilled trades. Indeed, today we are keenly aware that we need more bright, talented people working in skilled trades, police departments, fire departments and running businesses. College degrees are not essential for these potentially fulfilling careers.

I dutifully went to college in the 1970s without thinking about it too much. I enjoyed school and had success in classes. In the 1970s there was strong support for higher education, and I was able to pay most of my tuition, books, meals and rent with part-time and summer jobs. My annual tuition (fees) at the University of California was around $660 per year. Today, tuition at that school is $14,600. I could not afford to go to college in today’s market. I would need strong financial backing by my parents, and they would need to take on significant debt for me to go to college today. This is true throughout the country. In Kentucky, the cost of higher education is around 30% of the median income for the average Kentuckian. Even under these circumstances, I am sure my parents would have supported me in college, if they could. But if they could not, then advanced education would not be available to me. Significantly, careers as physicians, dentists, lawyers, veterinarians, librarians, and engineers are not possible without advanced education.

I enjoyed learning and became a university professor. I am also proud to work at a land-grant institution — University of Kentucky. In 1862, the US Congress passed the Morrill Land Act, providing each state with a land-grant to support creation of public educational institutions. The objective of the Morrill Act was to make higher education widely available to Americans. Unfortunately, during the past 50 years, higher education has become less available to the average citizen due to costs. As an employee of a university, I should know why tuitions increased so much, but I do not. Some blame universities for increasing costs beyond what is necessary. Some blame state legislatures for a decline in appropriation of funding per student. Fundamentally, public support of higher education has not kept up with costs, leading colleges to increase tuition. As a result, higher education is becoming unavailable to the average person without significant financial sacrifice.

What is the point? There are two points. First, you do not have to get an advanced education to be successful or happy. Second, if you are a young student and want to get an advanced education and become a physician, lawyer or engineer, it has becoming increasingly important for your family to have disposable wealth. We really need to democratize education. It’s not just for the wealthy.

Caveat: There are scholarships available based on financial need. Students who want advanced education may be able to fund a significant part of their education this way. However, look for scholarship early and be sure to meet the deadlines.

Ernest Bailey, PhD is a professor of veterinary medicine at the MH Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky.