College Needs to Prepare Our Students for the Real World

The diversity of affordable and practical education options for students needs to be improved, and steps need to be taken to increase financial transparency and regulate education costs.

Problem

There is a clear obstacle to pursuing a college education due to the financial barrier it poses to many students. Many graduates continue to feel underprepared by colleges to meet evolving workplace demands. 

Our Plan

Make education affordable for students, and ensure education aligns better with the jobs that students pursue. 

• Improve the diversity of affordable and practical options for students:

  • Designate state education funds for community colleges to develop programs that prepare students for entry into professional careers, with schedules that meet the needs of working students.

  • Destigmatize technical education and inform students of alternate education paths.

  • Increase state funding for state universities so they can offer merit and need-based tuition reduction as well as access to reduced-cost alternatives such as online programs. 

• Create additional counseling service roles at schools to help students find career options and create an affordable education plan.

• Increase transparency in true costs of education and the average time it takes to pay off loans by promoting consumer tools that help students make educated decisions.

• Adapt programs in state universities, community colleges, and technical colleges to meet the diverse needs of the modern workforce, including familiarizing students with technology innovations and the implications of globalization for their chosen field.

• Cap tuition costs at universities and limit the frequency of tuition raises. Implement a fixed tuition rate for all students from the first semester to graduation.

• Tax capital gains on endowments of higher education institutions and redistribute funding for scholarships.

This Matters

Every person deserves the chance to pursue an education that prepares them to thrive in fulfilling jobs that meet their financial needs. In order for every person to have this opportunity, a variety of affordable options need to be available so that students with diverse backgrounds and interests can find suitable programs. Additionally, colleges need to ensure that their programs are preparing students to thrive in the modern workforce.