The Future of Higher Education Symposium - Price vs. Cost vs. Value

The current higher education climate seems bleak with nationally declining enrollment, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable students. The declines are especially concerning at community colleges, which traditionally sees an increase in enrollment as unemployed people return to school to learn new skills. Instead, students are working full time or pushing off college dreams. Meanwhile, others are questioning the value of the degree as they pay large amounts for a much more restricted college experience online.

Archie Holmes, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Texas System, and Jamie Merisotis, president and CEO of the Lumina Foundation, both told Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith that higher education remains vital to boost social mobility and train the next generation of workers. But there are ways the sector can improve to serve students with stronger quality online courses, they said. Merisotis also argued higher education needs to capitalize on building important skills like collaboration and empathy. Holmes said schools need to reinforce efforts to boost the number of students who actually complete their degree so they leave college able to earn enough to pay off student loans. But both hesitated to endorse free community college as the panacea that will solve the nation’s student debt crisis. — Kate McGee

This session is supported by Texas State Technical College, McCombs School of Business and Texas Association of Community Colleges.