No doubt the experience molded me....it definitely made me appreciate the results of working one's ass off.
As an ME (15 years now), I am happy that people like you do get the degree. Also, as someone who has lived in the EU, I find many comments in this thread quite silly.
I may be in the minority here, but I actually got a lot out of my general courses. I also took them seriously, because my math courses put my GPA in a bad spot. I took a theater/acting course, which greatly improved my public speaking abilities. I took a course in art history, which helped me respect artistic design and styles. This helped when traveling for business in EU. I could actually give customers a bit of a guided tour and discuss the era of the building designs. I also took a philosophy course which forced me to debate on the side of an issue I didn't agree with. I learned to see things from the other side. I have used what I learned in these courses far more than what I learned in Diff Eq or my course on Matlab/C.
Hello; This is an easy one to answer. Allow me to give some examples. I started college in 1965. At that time I could go to Conly's fast food drive in on US 25E just outside Middlesboro KY. I could order two foot long hot dogs, an order of dries from fresh cut potatoes and a milk shake cup of milk for a dollar. I married in 1966 and could buy a week or more's worth of food for the two of us for $20. I graduated in 1970 and looked at an SS Camaro with a list price of $4000. Got my first teaching job in 1970 which paid around $4,500 per year so I could not afford the Camaro. There is a point to this.
Hello; this is the other reason for the rising cost of college in particular which is even greater than regular inflation. A much greater increase in cost over other inflation. If I have my information correct college and health care are the big two in terms of cost. And also among two of the things big government is involved with.
Hello; Yes to this. I had to do an extra semester myself.
The governments of many countries are far more involved in education and healthcare than the USA, and many of these countries pay a fraction of what we do for education and healthcare. Private universities are exponentially more expensive than state universities. This isn't just a simple issue that we can point a finger at the gov and say "you did it". There are ways the government has helped the cost of education in this country. Back when I was in school, I was making $10/hr from a government research grant. Best part time job I ever had, and it allowed me to pay for books/food/housing.
Hello; Afraid I do not know enough details about the other countries to make reliable comments. At least one thing I have heard is that in some of those countries the personal income taxes are very much higher than the USA. Also some debate about the quality of the health care. I do not have exact enough information to make strong counter points.
Hello; This is another point those in favor of canceling federal student loan debt often look past. Concerning those of us who actually pay taxes the cost of government programs is spread among all of us. The reward from student loan forgiveness will not be equally shared.
Was at a family event and one of the siblings is majoring in liberal arts, defended them, said it makes a good person even if has no point for work.
I'm not a Democrat therefore your post has no merit. But thanks for the name calling. Tells us all we need to know about you.
Donald, not everyone who goes to college uses it to get a job. College is a place to become further educated. A lot of people go for majors/minors that have absolutely nothing to do with where they plan their future employment. For instance my carpenter has a degree in Zoology. Why, because he liked it. Not everyone go to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. That's what liberal arts is all about. It's a good start for an 18 year old who doesn't know what they want to be yet.