Here's a sample of undergraduate tuition at some very nice schools across the country:
* Kansas State University: $4,256/yr.
* Oregon State University: $5,349/yr.
* State Universities of New York (SUNY): $4,350/yr.
* University of Florida: $6,000/yr. (approx)
* Cal State Los Angeles: $3,035/yr.
So how in the world did all of you end up with six-figure student loans that you cannot afford to pay off?
Was this just an accident, or was it bad decision-making and another example of upper middle class consumerism gone totally haywire? How much does society owe you now to undo this? How much should I have to give up or pay because you went to Yale and now you can't pay off your loans?
I'm all in favor of inexpensive or free public university education. My own university education was administered to me at a cost of $1500 per year when I was a Freshman (although that number increased later in my student life). I took out a small student loan (about $5000) and worked part or full time all the way through college to pay the rest.
I wonder how much the bourgeoisie feels obligated these days to get a degree from an "elite school" because they think that that is what is required to "make it" in today's world. Is it social pressure? It certainly doesn't make economic sense. If you take out six figures in a loan, you are really making a bet that you are going to hit a home run in life. Aren't you?
I guess I'm suffering from a sympathy deficiency today, because I don't at all feel sorry that you can't pay off your loans or that you maxed out your credit cards in college. If the biggest problem in your life is figuring out how to pay off an extravagant, glamorous, country-club education, you ain't got many problems.
I'm just saying!
Here is a quick fix for those who are looking anxiety into the future at student loan hell:
Drop out. Choose an education that is commensurate with the amount of income that you expect to get after graduate. Economize and get a job to help pay for things.
It wouldn't hurt for state governments to provide free educations either, but that would probably be difficult considering that the country's wealth is really concentrated in a handful of states. A lot of states just wouldn't be able to afford it.