College Too Expensive? Yes, For What It Is

Calwatchdog reports a majority of Californians think a college education is too expensive. I like to point out that's likely only because of demand and people thinking college is necessary to begin with. I suggest that's a cultural problem and a college education isn't necessary for many, if not most jobs. If someone learns to read, write and do math in high school, that should be all they need to learn and handle most jobs. 

I might have presented my two examples of the non- necessity of college here before:

I have two nephews, both from the same parents. The first one wanted to be a "rock star" and forego college. His father insisted he attend college, saying it was a necessity for a sound future. I walked in on their argument and took the nephew's side saying if he wanted to do something that didn't require college, why waste his father's money and his time? My opinion carried the day my nephew told me later.

The second one went to HSU at his father's urging and subsidizing. He graduated with his father's help. He's 42 now, has no job, no plans to get one and can't even feed himself, usually eating at his parents house.

I have yet to make my previous point to their father but, if and when I do, I'll point out that he, being a real estate guy, could have been where he is now after taking a six month class at College of the Redwoods and some hard work. I'd also point out his college graduate son is pretty much a bum, but his non- college brother is making his own way...without a college education.

Case closed, but Richard Rider gives us some other facts regarding higher education in California. As far as community colleges go (which I support):

"California, a destitute state, still gives away community college education at fire sale prices. Our CC tuition and fees are the lowest in the nation.  How low?  Nationwide, the average community college tuition and fees are more than double our California CC’s.
http://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/tuition-and-fees-sector-and-state-over-time"

"In addition, because of grants and tax credits, up to 2/3 of California CC students pay no net tuition at all! 
http://tinyurl.com/ygqz9ls"

 "Complaints about increased UC student fees too often ignore a key point — all poor and many middle class CA students don’t pay the UC “fees” (our state’s euphemism for tuition).  There are no fees for most California families with under $80K income. 55% of all undergraduate CA UC students pay zero tuition, and another 14% pay only partial tuition."

Of course, Richard is simply looking at costs, not whether college is something that should be considered in the first place. 

I don't have a problem with going to community colleges to learn a skill. My brother- in- law could be where he is now with simply a community college education and saved himself the time and expense of his university studies. Wasting four years of his life at a university seemed to me a waste of time.