Are Colleges and Universities High Tuition a Scam for Teachers to get more money?

Question

To me I believe that colleges and universities are scamming us slowly into bankruptcy, the costs just keep getting higher, instead of the teachers going on why shouldn't the students go on strike for lower costs - just a thought

ps - if you are a teacher there sorry to offend if I did

Answer 1

I am not at all offended by your question, but I do wish to let you know that professors salaries are quite low in comparison to other fields that also require a Ph.D.

It's not the professors who are making money from high tuition, it's the administrators. Administrator's salaries are normally two to three times the amount a professor is paid.

Answer 2

I'm a teacher, but you don't offend me at all. It's a good question.

As a professor in Tennessee, I made about $45000 per year, which is way below what many professions make. Also, we don't get COLA (cost of living) quality raises, so comparatively we lose money every year.

While a professor, I have been unable to afford family vacations or get special presents for my kids, and that has been heartbreaking.

Truthfully I don't know where the money goes, but it definitely is not to the ordinary, everyday teacher. We make very little money and only teach because we love it.

Answer 3

Harvard has enough money to abolish tuition for all students.

My own alma mater, which I'm not going to name here, raises its tuition to "remain competitive" -- in other words, because that's what other colleges are doing. It uses money to expand its borders (it's about doubled its size in the past 20 years, and land ain't cheap).

It appears to be a "what the market will bear" kind of deal. If kids stopped going to the expensive private universities and went to the cheaper state colleges instead, ... Okay, not going to happen as long as "rich dad" is around.

Answer 4

College professors do not make ridiculous amounts of money, considering all the time, money and effort that went into getting advanced degrees.

In fact, most new PhDs have a hard time finding regular, permanent teaching jobs because colleges are using more and more adjuncts as a way to save money on salaries and benefits.

The bulk of tuition is not going to salaries, believe me!

Answer 5

Nope. Professors are payed very little in relation to other professionals with equivalent educational background. For that matter, they're payed very little in comparison to professionals without PhD. In some fields, professors can be payed a fair bit as consultants to private industry firms, but that money's not coming from the school so it doesn't cost students a dime.

At my school, which is one of the most expensive in the country, what we pay for tuition doesn't even cover the costs of educating one student. For student, even those who are paying full tuition, part of their education is payed for out of the school's endowment, donations from parents, and other funding sources besides tuition. In addition to the salaries of the professors and and administrators (none of which are exorbitant), there's the cost of maintaining the grounds and facilities, technology, laboratory equipment for science classes, TA's, and any number of other things. Even the school cafeteria is operating at a loss. They can't really afford to charge less tuition than they already are.

Answer 6

To be honest, a college education mostly involves teaching people to learn the value of researching any topic they are interested in. The subjects are geared to that end. That is why most classes require research papers and many sources for the information to compile the paper. It is supposed to teach people to continue learning throughout their lives and expand their minds. In my opinion, it appears to be a failure regardless of political leaning judging from much of what is seen on this site and even in the media. Ivy League schools emphasize that by engaging in many programs designed to create experts in different fields but most colleges are not. They are just a broad introduction to different subjects that relate to the chosen major. Personal application of what is learned is required no matter what school is involved. If there is only enough applied to pass the course and get the degree, it only shows the person has enough interest in their future to complete the course.

Answer 7

A lot of it is probably maintaining or adding academic programs. It has nothing to do with college professors getting raises. Asking for more money is generally better than getting rid of 3-10 majors. That's why all public grade schools have operating levies every once in a while...because if they fail, programs are gotten rid of because they take money to maintain.

Answer 8

most university including mine are money grabbing institution that care most about getting smart and rich students. Unfortunately for most students, they don't have that kind of $$$ so for the next decade after graduation, part of their savings will be chequed to the university.

what a sad life:(


ps. My professors get paid 80,000 and nearly half of that goes to the government's coffers (income tax). that's not a good salary given that you have to work your butt off and get a PHD to get that professor title.
But i do wonder where my university get the $$$ to change 1000 plus units of desktops every four months!! and why it needs to fly some of the lecturers abroad every fortnight on first class not business class. And why the bloody hell am i seeing advertisements for my university on magazines similar to playboy magazines, cosmopolitans and Marie Clare. And i am seeing television ads during prime time too. i'm seeing red!

WE DID GO ON STRIKE. the entire freaking country's universities students went on strike and they (the government) set the hoses, horses and police on us!!!
We have been striking for some time and we have more or less given up coz our government are the 'Liberal party'. They care only for the economic welfare of the country. Let the rich get educated and screw the rest.

Strikes are not useful nowadays. Once the government made up their minds, they won't care too much about anything else unless it's the election year.

ok. i've calmed down (smiles sheepishly) :)

Answer 9

College prices have gone up a lot but don't blame your professors. Most professors do not make very much. Colleges and universities have a lot of expenses that have nothing to do with education (athletic teams, for example). Maybe that's the real problem.

Answer 10

well yeah i guess that they are scamming you and it shouldnt be like that... so you cant get a good education because you cant pay

students should go on strike and make it lower