Is College a Waste of Time?

By Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting | July 14, 2011

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I’ll be honest. I’m feeling a bit down about higher education today. Students leave four-year institutions with more than $23,000 in loan debt on average . Just this week, some members of congress floated a plan that would make students pay interest on their loans even while they are in school. I’m troubled by the potential conflicts of interest that exist between Wall Street and universities (detailed in the documentary Inside Job) and oil companies and universities (explored in a recent episode of This American Life). Sigh.

But, despite these things, I have a lot of hope. Have you heard of Sal Khan? He left his hedge fund to do something truly revolutionary in education. Through the Khan Academy website he makes available videos on subjects as far ranging as algebra and the Geithner Plan for anyone to learn. For free. And there are more Sals out there, making us all smarter.

Here are some more pieces on education to inspire and challenge you:

• Getting Unschooled: An Interview with Penelope Trunk


• Education: Is There an App for That? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 

{Other Voices} Is College Worth It? College Presidents, Public Assess Value, Quality and Mission of Higher Education

{Other Voices} The Coming Revolution in Education

{Other Voices} College is a waste of time

And what do you think? What's the future of education? Send me an email or catch me on Twitter. I'd love for you to join the conversation.