Why do college students drive nicer cars than college professors?

Answer 1

Many parents buy their children a nice or new car because it's an easy and dramatic way for the parent to show the child he or she is loved.

Professors do not make very much money; the highest-paid ones can make more than $100,000, but typically people with those credentials and that training can make $250,000 or more in the private sector.

But the real answer is that many, probably almost all, academics are intellectuals. Many intellectuals consider it tacky or in bad form to drive an expensive, showy car. They'd be much more likely to spend the money on a two-month trip to France, gourmet food like duck breast and loin of bison, or rare wine, all the while driving a thirteen-year-old Honda. (They may also be buying a car payment worth of books every month--just for pleasure.) In other words, they tend not to care so much about status, especially status as "ordinary people" (non-intellectuals) count it. If they did drive a chromed-out Hummer, all the other professors would laugh at them. They get enough flak if they drive an SUV.

So it's a combination: not all that much money, and a real disinclination to spend it on what "ordinary folks" think is "classy." Some sociologists call this "shabby chic."

Answer 2

There are many college students that come to college with the cars their parents bought them before, and in some cases those cars are nicer than what you see professors riding around in.

Answer 3

I don't know how it works everywhere, but I can share my experience.

At the three colleges I work at, most professors are part timers. (At the CSU English Department, we have 12 full time/tenured professors and 75 part timers.) Actually, we aren't called professors; we are "adjunct" faculty. ("Regular" faculty get quite upset when we are called professors.)

Part timers make CONSIDERABLY less that full time or tenured professors. (Sort of why we work at several colleges; we're called "freeway flyers.") High school teachers make more than I do. In truth, In-and-out Burger employees make more than I do. I love teaching, so I can't complain too much.

Generally, we don't worry (or have the time or money to worry) about our cars. As long as they get from point A to point B and back again, we're happy. Personally, I have two kids and a very tight budget. A cool car is not high on my priority list.

I think it's great that someone noticed. Hey, it means your paying attention to your world. Critical thinking makes me happy. :)

Answer 4

Because college professors don't have rich daddies to buy them cars anymore. Plus they have kids to support and buy cars for.

But there's also the fact that most profs don't feel the need to show off by buying fancy cars. I have profs driving 15 year old, 20 year old Mercedes and BMWs. Good cars, they just don't need a new one every few years. They can establish themselves with their job instead of by what they own.

Answer 5

Because for the most part, college students aren't financially independent and have their parents pay for it. Or a combination of students and parents paying.
College professors are, and rely on their own income. As a result, their priorities with money are not in getting a really nice car.
But I've seen a lot of nice cars in our teacher parking lots.

Answer 6

College professors have to work for a living, and the pay is isn't great. College students could possibly be the most spoiled sub-group of people on the planet. Generally speaking, of course.

Answer 7

Because students aren't paying for their own cars. Mommy and Daddy do. Check out a community college sometime. You wont see that happening there.

Answer 8

Cause some students have more money then the professors do.

Answer 9

Because professors (aside from certain disciplines like business) have chosen a prestigious, but poor-paying profession. I knew one professor who made so little her mom had to make all her suits for her.

Answer 10

okay. for the top answer
i think professor can have one car looks like a crap, and a hidden fancy car right?🙃 not hard for them to buy one lol just to show off in the weekends lol when they re out with family or by themselves haha.

look poor at school and fancy outside campus lol