Educating Iowans is everyone’s responsibility

By The Des Moines Register

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Different year, same story: The cost of college is going up.

Recently, the state Board of Regents approved a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in room and board rates at public universities. That follows a 5 percent tuition increase, with higher jumps for those enrolled in programs including nursing and engineering. With books and supplies, an Iowan can spend as much as $17,000 a year at one of the state schools.

These places are supposed to be destinations for middle-class Iowa students. But the expense has become too much for middle-class Iowa families.

The result: Graduates of Iowa colleges start their working lives with an average debt of $28,883, the fourth highest in the country, according to the Project on Student Debt. Iowa ranks No. 2 in the nation for students graduating with at least some debt.

Providing an affordable, quality education for future generations of Iowans is something everyone must make a priority. It affects the entire state.

Graduates who owe on loans have less money to spend on everything from homes to cars to groceries. Debt discourages people from finishing school or pursuing graduate degrees, yet Iowa needs to have an educated workforce attractive to business.

Thirty years ago, Iowa taxpayers picked up a large share of the cost of education at public universities. State appropriations supplied 77 cents of every dollar needed. Today that appropriation has dropped to cover only about 40 percent of the cost of educating a student. Families and students pick up more of the cost.

What has changed in 30 years? The cost of college grew by leaps and bounds. Iowa lawmakers increased funding for the regents most years, but it wasn't enough. The state also has other priorities, from Medicaid to K-12 education. Lawmakers must recognize that investing in higher education is an investment in the future of the state. The regents schools need more dollars.

However, schools also can't expect taxpayers to subsidize schools no matter what they cost. Colleges also need to reduce the price of higher education.

Many Iowa families have trouble paying for even the basics in life, such as food and housing. But Americans have also earned a reputation for spending too much and saving too little, whether it's for retirement or emergencies or future education expenses. Most people can save at least something toward their children's education.

At the same time, parents and students should not assume everyone must go to college right out of high school. It is a big investment and there are alternatives, including community college, that should be considered.

According to President Barack Obama, “a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job.” People who graduate from college can earn more over a lifetime than those who don't. College doesn't work out for everyone, but that does not necessarily mean they are unqualified. Yet, a four-year degree has become the minimum expectation for many jobs. It shouldn't be: The value of the degree to a business may not be what was learned in a classroom. Piling up credits in British literature doesn't qualify anyone to sell insurance policies.

Employers should value not only formal education, but also work history and volunteer experience. They should also play a greater role in training their workers. It used to be companies hired and trained workers. Now they rely on others to do that - even for current workers. Taxpayers frequently pick up the bill.

Educating the future workers of Iowa benefits the entire state. Everyone, from taxpayers to families to employers, must share in the responsibility.