Furthermore, the perception of college as the singular pathway to success has been challenged in recent years. Beginning around 2010, a significant shift occurred as individuals started to weigh the tangible benefits of a college degree against its substantial costs. This growing skepticism was not without cause. The era saw an increasing awareness of alternative education paths and a critical examination of the return on investment offered by traditional college education. This concern mildly increased as community colleges, often considered the most affordable path, have been cutting corners, thereby lessening their effectiveness due to their limited funds. Students must pay more to private schools for a more effective education. One of the most significant factors that affect the college ROI is if the student graduates and receives their diploma. The college a student attends can affect their chances of graduating, “Just within Washington, D.C., for example, six-year graduation rates range from a near-universal 93 percent at Georgetown University to a dismal 19 percent at the University of D.C,” (Owen and Sawhill
Furthermore, the perception of college as the singular pathway to success has been challenged in recent years. Beginning around 2010, a significant shift occurred as individuals started to weigh the tangible benefits of a college degree against its substantial costs. This growing skepticism was not without cause. The era saw an increasing awareness of alternative education paths and a critical examination of the return on investment offered by traditional college education. This concern mildly increased as community colleges, often considered the most affordable path, have been cutting corners, thereby lessening their effectiveness due to their limited funds. Students must pay more to private schools for a more effective education. One of the most significant factors that affect the college ROI is if the student graduates and receives their diploma. The college a student attends can affect their chances of graduating, “Just within Washington, D.C., for example, six-year graduation rates range from a near-universal 93 percent at Georgetown University to a dismal 19 percent at the University of D.C,” (Owen and Sawhill