Does the quality of higher education today warrant the dramatic increase in tuition?

I recently paid over $1000 for tuition and books for two classes in order to get the need pre-req's for nursing school and I have yet to get them all. If it were not for federal aid, and student loans I would not be able to afford the education that will ultimately allow me to have the life I know I can make for myself. I know there are schools that cost much more which is the primary reason that I am attending a junior college. So why does it cost more to matriculate the same degree that was attained a decade ago for a fraction of the price?

You have already said one of the reasons that that tuition is going up. the amount of federal aid you recieve. It is clearly not increases to materials or salaries... they are already high, and do no increase at twice the consumer price index...

The more 'free money' that the government gives out, the more that universities know that they can charge. in recent years, the secretary of education has written letters pleading that universities not raise the prices when more money is secured for these education grants.

thats why it costs so much more than what you would think a reasonable increase would be.

Rep. Christopher Shays (R-4) Wednesday defended President Bush鈥檚 decision not to increase the size offederal grants for college students, saying that boosting federal aid would only spur universities to raise tuition and reduce other scholarships and loans.

鈥淚 am interested in grants for students鈥擨 have a daughter that鈥檚 going to be applying to school soon鈥攂ut isn鈥檛 it a fact that just as we increase the Pell Grants and other grants, the administrations just raise their tuitions?鈥?Shays said at a House Budget Committee hearing. 鈥淪o who is getting these grants, the students or the university?鈥?br>
sooo... no, the higher prices dont warrant the increase in tuition

The dramatic increase in tuition is what is funding the dramatic increase in professor's and dean's salaries and perks.

Tuition increases are based on many things; state and federal cutbacks, an increase in people seeking degrees, an increase in the requirements to go into many professions, overall inflation, professors salaries, and a need to expand programs to accommodate new types of professions.