photo courtesy of Village Manager Keith Kazmark , League of Women Voters forum on alternatives to a four-year college experience forum
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, it’s not just Congress, the Trump Administration, and frustrated parents who are fed up with skyrocketing college costs—even students agree that tuition prices have spiraled out of control.
At a recent forum hosted by the League of Women Voters in Ridgewood, experts explored alternative pathways to a four-year college degree, reflecting growing concerns over the value of higher education.
Gallup Poll: Students See Colleges as Overpriced
A new Gallup Poll confirms what many have long suspected—college is not worth the price for most students.
🔹 Only 1 in 5 current or prospective students believe four-year colleges charge fair prices for the education they provide.
🔹 Nearly 60% think colleges are engaging in price gouging.
🔹 Even two-year community colleges, which focus on vocational and technical training, struggle with perception issues—with only 40% of students believing they charge fair tuition rates.
Why College Costs Are Out of Control
The massive flow of federal grants and loans has enabled colleges to hike tuition year after year, with some institutions now charging as much as $70,000 annually. Instead of making education more accessible, this endless supply of government-backed funding has driven costs to unsustainable levels.
The result? Students are left drowning in debt with degrees that often don’t justify the cost.
The Real-World Impact of Student Debt
The consequences of this broken system are severe:
📉 Nearly 75% of American borrowers say student loan debt has forced them to delay major life milestones, including:
✔️ Buying a home
✔️ Getting married
✔️ Having children
As student debt balloons into the trillions, the need for education reform has never been more urgent.
Trump’s Plan: End the Department of Education & Privatize Student Loans
President Donald Trump’s executive order to shut down the Department of Education takes direct aim at the student loan crisis. The department has essentially become the nation’s largest and worst-run bank, fueling an unsustainable system that benefits colleges—not students.
The solution? Privatizing and restructuring higher education financing, allowing for market-driven solutions that prioritize affordability, job-readiness, and real-world skills over bureaucratic inefficiency.
The Future of Higher Education: Alternatives to a Broken System
With rising tuition costs and growing skepticism from students, more Americans are exploring alternative education paths, such as:
✅ Vocational and technical training
✅ Community colleges with direct job placement programs
✅ Apprenticeships and on-the-job training
✅ Online certifications and specialized skill programs
These alternatives offer high-value education at a fraction of the cost, without the burden of massive student loan debt.
Final Thoughts: Time for a Higher Education Revolution
The higher education bubble is bursting, and students, parents, and policymakers alike are demanding real change. As more people question whether a four-year degree is worth the price, the push for affordable, career-focused education is gaining momentum.
What do you think? Should colleges lower tuition or should students explore alternative education paths? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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Ridgewood Education is a RIP OFF.
college is a rip off. thats why they pay pocahontas Eliz Warren the fake indian 400k to teach one class