For most of us, college is just the next step in life because in today’s economy getting a higher education is a necessity for most to go into the career we want to work in. But for something that is so necessary, college education comes at a very steep price. 

Even though a college degree, postsecondary credential or certificate has never been more important, it has also never been more expensive. Within the last three decades, tuition at public four-year universities has more than doubled, even after adjusting for inflation. 

According to College Board the average in-state tuition per semester for a public university is around $6,000 without room and board; now multiply that by eight to say on average you will spend $48,000 on just in-state tuition.

If you are looking to get out of Kansas like I am the price range goes into a whole new ballpark. Out of state tuition is about $14,000 per semester, which means on average, you will need to pay about $112,000 in tuition to receive your bachelor’s degree.

These prices are extremely steep for anyone but especially for someone in their late teens and early 20s. Many of these young Americans end up having to take out student loans from the bank that they will spend years paying off. 

In the United States, as many as 44.7 million Americans have student loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Around the world, young minds go to college for much cheaper than the United States; in fact according to The Atlantic, in a third of developed countries, free college is offered and another third of developed countries keep tuition as low as possible (on average around $3,000).

So why are U.S. public colleges so expensive? 

Well, this has to do with economics along with politics. Many state legislatures within the past three decades have been spending less and less per student on higher education due to other expenses. 

Essentially states have been leaving public universities begging for money. Since the colleges have lost state money, they have no choice but to raise the tuition rate per student. 

For something so vital to a prospering life you would think our government would find a way to provide its future with the education needed to compete with workers around the world. 

It’s time for America to take itself to the next level, but that all starts with educating the students of today.