This right here is why I’m against blanket “free college” without radically changing the system. I’m sorry, if these “elite colleges” are going charge $150,000 to $300,000 for Graduate programs in Film and Fine Arts where graduates typically earn $45,000 a year, that is absurd failure and blatant, cynical cash grab by the institution and we should not be subsidizing or encouraging it.

I have nothing against the arts, they’re an extremely important part of our culture and society. Not everyone can or should be a boring ass Accountant like me. But the taxpayers should not be 100% footing the bill for these “elite” educations. I’d be open to free (no frills State University and Community College) education, especially for the poor and middle class. But the idea that a $300,000 film degree that has a decent likelihood of never be used will be paid for by taxpayer funding seems absurd. I don’t blame the poor kids with this debt, it’s a failure of the schools squeezing them for cash and the Department of Education enabling this craziness.

I turned down “elite” schools to attend an affordable State University that gave me great scholarships, commuted from my parents’ house, and worked part time to get both my Bachelor’s and Master’s. I don’t expect everyone to be this draconian, but the popular idea these days that everyone should be entitled to a “finding yourself” luxury college experience at an “elite” university really bothers me. Education should be accessible to all. But this is way beyond what should be expected at no personal cost.