Colleges at the breaking point, forcing ‘hard choices’ about education
A couple of points: not all colleges are created the same. Many state schools, particularly top-tier ones offer fantastic educations at an excellent price-point. They are a good value, and will remain so. Along with need-based aid and scholarships, they are amazing vehicles to reduce generational inequality (look at UCLA for example). I can only speak to the engineering (not software) side of things, but from lab work to project-based design classes, I gained skills, knowledge and experience from well-trained instructors in a way that I think would be very difficult to begin to replicate in a remote experience.<p>Many, if not most students, can&#x27;t learn effectively by themselves through online videos alone. Structure, assessments and regular interaction with teaching staff have real, measurable value.<p>Finally, the social networks that universities provide students and alumni are valuable. We&#x27;re social beings. These networks open students to possibilities and careers they may not have considered. Of course, there are negatives to this as well.<p>Universities remain economic engines, particularly across wide swaths of semi-rural parts of the country. They create dynamic flows of people, ideas and capital that are undeniably important.