The cost of Education

Kitsune · 01-12-2004, 03:39 PM

If you've already graduated college, consider yourself lucky -- the cost of books has inflated slightly over the years.

That's $114.45 for two books. I still have three more I have to purchase for the course. At this rate the cost of the books will match the tuition I had to pay -- has it always been this bad?

I guess I shouldn't have splurged on that eraser.

Riddil · 01-12-2004, 03:48 PM

Eh, it also depends on your major, and what year you are. Cuz if you think about it, a Chem 101 class that everyone has to take will sell a boat-load of books. But a text for seniors in Nuclear Physics won't sell near as many, so the author has to sell it at a higher price to make up for the difference. (Plus the fact it's probably much harder work to generate that text).

There's a school in NC... ASU I think.. where they handle text books just like HS. You check 'em out at the start of the semester, then you turn 'em back in at the end. No muss, no fuss.

headsplice · 01-12-2004, 03:48 PM

I started college in 1995, and it was about $6000 for the entire year (three quarters), including housing.
I talked to a friend, and this year, it's about $5500 for the year, without housing (which is about 1/3 of the first cost).
Ugh. Can anyone tell me why the Earned Income Tax Credit wasn't expanded to included low income families or why single mothers on welfare can't get their college credits included as working time (for welfare) in most states?

vsp · 01-12-2004, 03:55 PM

I was an English major (granted, that's a B.S. in English with a Computer Programming track).

I had one semester where I spent _zero_ on books. Nada. Every book I needed was in the campus library, so I checked each one out in turn and voila! Extra pizza money.

One time, I had a $60 CSC book that I was in no mood to purchase. Luckily, someone dropped a departmental WolfCopy card in one of the cafeterias -- no names, no identifying properties that'd let me return it to its owner, but a sick number of copying-machine credits.

One evening of heavy toner usage later, I got to return the original book for a full refund, no questions asked...

Kitsune · 01-12-2004, 03:59 PM

One evening of heavy toner usage later, I got to return the original book for a full refund, no questions asked...

Lucky! They shrinkwrap them, now. You break the plastic, you don't get to return it for a refund. I think they'll let you sell it back for some pathetic percentage of the original cost, which would still be better than having to pay full cost...

elSicomoro · 01-12-2004, 08:03 PM

The cost of Sycamore's BA Psychology degree: approx $17,500

Amount of cost that was books: approx $2500

I didn't have to pay for books at Southeast Missouri State...well, not really. They rent books to you if you wish...my last semester there, it was $15 per book per semester.

Once I transferred to UM-St. Louis, I spent about $400 average each semester for books. Fuck selling them back for next to nothing...I just use them as reference now. Plus they look good on my bookcase.

wolf · 01-13-2004, 12:38 AM

The costs have indeed gotten out of hand. I was particularly perturbed by this during Gradual School when I had to buy a $75 half-inch thick paperback called "Feminist Social Psychology," which is an entirely OTHER kettle of fish. I had signed up for the required "social psychology" class, information from which was going to appear on the Comprehensive Exams. Instead, I had a semester-long whine-fest during which I was ALWAYS on the "wrong" side of the issue under discussion for the week.

I may have already run this book through the shredder, but if I still have it, I may take it out to the range for target practice.

We were discussing the $150 Statistics textbook and the useless $50 "study guide", which, thankfully, was used for both Stat I and Stat II. The Stat II prof claimed that the reason textbook costs were so high was the higher standard for proofreading and such for textbooks vs. mass market books.

My class spent the rest of the semester pointing out EVERY single error we found, demanding refunds.

Oh, and how did I PASS stat? Simple. I bought a $15 copy of "Schaumm's Outline of Statistics."

SteveDallas · 01-13-2004, 09:24 AM

I went to one of the public universities in NC in the late 80s. My senior year was the first time in-state tuition went over $500/semester for full-time students.

Books were already outrageous, though. Especially with math books I found that the more advanced the course, the thinner the textbook and the more expensive. I believe my personal record was $75 for a used text on real analysis.

headsplice · 01-13-2004, 09:59 AM

After talking to one of my profs who had us buy his book (local press, 300 pages, $15), he noted that standard textbooks are expensive for a couple of reasons: -1)if the prof writes it, they're greedy and set the price high -2)in the case of course packets the UofMN overcharges students in the event of being sued by a publisher of one of the works -3)the UofMN makes oodles of money off of books (and since my roommate helped design the backend of the website's bookstore, I can confirm this).
The solution: don't buy from the school. Buy online or from some place off campus.
What to do about crazy tuition costs? Remove the current administration and their cronies in local government; hold regents accountable (don't let them build that stadium in your name if YOU are the one that pays for it); write to your congresscritter (local or federal) and start bitching.

russotto · 01-13-2004, 12:51 PM

Costs are in a positive feedback loop. Colleges raise tuition because they can and still keep the lecture halls filled with warm bodies. When they raise prices, governments raise subsidies. Which means more people can afford to go, which means colleges can raise prices again etc.

01-12-2004, 03:39 PM	#1
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	The cost of Education If you've already graduated college, consider yourself lucky -- the cost of books has inflated slightly over the years. That's $114.45 for two books. I still have three more I have to purchase for the course. At this rate the cost of the books will match the tuition I had to pay -- has it always been this bad? I guess I shouldn't have splurged on that eraser.

01-12-2004, 03:48 PM	#3
headsplice Relaxed Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 676	I started college in 1995, and it was about $6000 for the entire year (three quarters), including housing. I talked to a friend, and this year, it's about $5500 for the year, without housing (which is about 1/3 of the first cost). Ugh. Can anyone tell me why the Earned Income Tax Credit wasn't expanded to included low income families or why single mothers on welfare can't get their college credits included as working time (for welfare) in most states? __________________ Don't Panic

01-13-2004, 12:38 AM	#7
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	The costs have indeed gotten out of hand. I was particularly perturbed by this during Gradual School when I had to buy a $75 half-inch thick paperback called "Feminist Social Psychology," which is an entirely OTHER kettle of fish. I had signed up for the required "social psychology" class, information from which was going to appear on the Comprehensive Exams. Instead, I had a semester-long whine-fest during which I was ALWAYS on the "wrong" side of the issue under discussion for the week. I may have already run this book through the shredder, but if I still have it, I may take it out to the range for target practice. We were discussing the $150 Statistics textbook and the useless $50 "study guide", which, thankfully, was used for both Stat I and Stat II. The Stat II prof claimed that the reason textbook costs were so high was the higher standard for proofreading and such for textbooks vs. mass market books. My class spent the rest of the semester pointing out EVERY single error we found, demanding refunds. Oh, and how did I PASS stat? Simple. I bought a $15 copy of "Schaumm's Outline of Statistics." __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

01-13-2004, 09:59 AM	#9
headsplice Relaxed Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 676	After talking to one of my profs who had us buy his book (local press, 300 pages, $15), he noted that standard textbooks are expensive for a couple of reasons: -1)if the prof writes it, they're greedy and set the price high -2)in the case of course packets the UofMN overcharges students in the event of being sued by a publisher of one of the works -3)the UofMN makes oodles of money off of books (and since my roommate helped design the backend of the website's bookstore, I can confirm this). The solution: don't buy from the school. Buy online or from some place off campus. What to do about crazy tuition costs? Remove the current administration and their cronies in local government; hold regents accountable (don't let them build that stadium in your name if YOU are the one that pays for it); write to your congresscritter (local or federal) and start bitching. __________________ Don't Panic

01-12-2004, 03:48 PM	#2
Riddil Management Consultant Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 165	Eh, it also depends on your major, and what year you are. Cuz if you think about it, a Chem 101 class that everyone has to take will sell a boat-load of books. But a text for seniors in Nuclear Physics won't sell near as many, so the author has to sell it at a higher price to make up for the difference. (Plus the fact it's probably much harder work to generate that text). There's a school in NC... ASU I think.. where they handle text books just like HS. You check 'em out at the start of the semester, then you turn 'em back in at the end. No muss, no fuss.

01-12-2004, 03:55 PM	#4
vsp Syndrome of a Down Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Chester Posts: 1,367	I was an English major (granted, that's a B.S. in English with a Computer Programming track). I had one semester where I spent _zero_ on books. Nada. Every book I needed was in the campus library, so I checked each one out in turn and voila! Extra pizza money. One time, I had a $60 CSC book that I was in no mood to purchase. Luckily, someone dropped a departmental WolfCopy card in one of the cafeterias -- no names, no identifying properties that'd let me return it to its owner, but a sick number of copying-machine credits. One evening of heavy toner usage later, I got to return the original book for a full refund, no questions asked...

01-12-2004, 03:59 PM	#5
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	One evening of heavy toner usage later, I got to return the original book for a full refund, no questions asked... Lucky! They shrinkwrap them, now. You break the plastic, you don't get to return it for a refund. I think they'll let you sell it back for some pathetic percentage of the original cost, which would still be better than having to pay full cost...

01-12-2004, 08:03 PM	#6
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	The cost of Sycamore's BA Psychology degree: approx $17,500 Amount of cost that was books: approx $2500 I didn't have to pay for books at Southeast Missouri State...well, not really. They rent books to you if you wish...my last semester there, it was $15 per book per semester. Once I transferred to UM-St. Louis, I spent about $400 average each semester for books. Fuck selling them back for next to nothing...I just use them as reference now. Plus they look good on my bookcase.

01-13-2004, 09:24 AM	#8
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	I went to one of the public universities in NC in the late 80s. My senior year was the first time in-state tuition went over $500/semester for full-time students. Books were already outrageous, though. Especially with math books I found that the more advanced the course, the thinner the textbook and the more expensive. I believe my personal record was $75 for a used text on real analysis.

01-13-2004, 12:51 PM	#10
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	Costs are in a positive feedback loop. Colleges raise tuition because they can and still keep the lecture halls filled with warm bodies. When they raise prices, governments raise subsidies. Which means more people can afford to go, which means colleges can raise prices again etc.

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