The End of College

Imagine a world where higher education is accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time. What happens when knowledge truly becomes universal?

1. The Current Higher Education System is Flawed

The American higher education system struggles to fulfill its goals. Too many students leave college without graduating or developing critical skills. Most students don’t finish their degrees within the expected four years, with statistics showing that two-thirds of students still haven’t graduated after six years. This delay suggests inefficiencies and a system that isn’t prioritizing student success.

In addition, studies like those by sociologists Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa reveal that a significant portion of students show no meaningful improvement in vital skills such as communication, analytical reasoning, and critical thinking after completing courses. This failure calls into question the value of the current model.

These problems are exacerbated by financial barriers, as tuition costs continue to skyrocket. In 2014 alone, 35 million Americans over the age of 25 had dropped out of higher education, often citing financial strains as a leading reason.

Examples

• Only 40% of students graduate college within four years.
• Skills surveys show 46% of students make no substantial academic progress after four years.
• A bachelor's degree at prestigious schools like MIT can cost over $42,000 annually, excluding living expenses.

2. A New Model: The University of Everywhere

The University of Everywhere represents a brighter, more inclusive future for education. Leveraging the power of online learning, this model allows students from all walks of life to access world-class courses taught by experts in their respective fields without the hefty price tag.

This concept is already gaining traction. Organizations like edX, a collaboration between MIT and Harvard, are offering courses that are free or relatively inexpensive. These classes are universally available, breaking down the historic barriers tied to wealth and geography. This digital model democratizes education by tapping into endless resources available online.

By moving away from the traditional university's costly infrastructure, the University of Everywhere removes the financial burden placed on students. Instead of imposing massive debts, this system encourages learning with flexibility and affordability.

Examples

• The author took a free biology class through edX.
• Students in remote regions can now participate in classes offered by prestigious universities.
• Online platforms allow learners to rewind, pause, or review lessons as needed.

3. Universities Weren’t Always Student-Centered

Education wasn't always so expensive or inaccessible. Take Bologna, the world’s first university established in 1088. It was created with students in mind—they even hired professors who were held accountable for engagement and attendance. Teachers faced fines if students stopped participating, ensuring the primary focus was on learning.

Renaissance universities shifted the focus away from students. Intellectual knowledge became a commodity, and professors gained power as "gatekeepers" of education. Universities began prioritizing their financial interests, systematizing learning based on exclusivity.

This exploration sheds light on how universities distanced themselves from their original purpose. Understanding this history can guide the shift back to a student-focused model today.

Examples

• Bologna fined professors if their lectures failed to maintain student interest.
• The University of Paris created "faculties," forming early academic hierarchies.
• The economic value of knowledge rose during the Enlightenment.

4. The Printing Press Deepened Universities’ Monopoly on Knowledge

Though the printing press made books cheaper and more abundant, it unintentionally reinforced universities' control over knowledge distribution. Educated professors remained essential for interpreting texts, as intellectual capital stayed within university walls.

These institutions became the only source for guided learning. Libraries on campuses housed the majority of valuable resources, further cementing the university's monopoly. Even with books more readily available, higher learning required the infrastructure and community only a university could provide at the time.

As the traditional university model spread to America, early colleges continued this trend, amassing wealth and creating elitist educational structures. The arrival of the printing press, instead of democratizing education, entrenched old systems.

Examples

• Gutenberg’s invention decreased production costs for books but failed to decentralize education.
• Early American colleges, like Harvard, mirrored the English university model with rigid hierarchies.
• University libraries out-competed independent resources by stockpiling books.

5. Competing Ideas Built the American Hybrid University

American universities reflect three guiding principles: vocational training, research-focused learning, and liberal arts education. These philosophies were incorporated into a "hybrid university" model developed by figures like Charles William Eliot, former president of Harvard University.

The land-grant colleges established by the Morrill Act catered to the industrial workforce, teaching skills like agriculture and engineering. Meanwhile, research universities focused on specialized academic development, following German scholar Wilhelm von Humboldt’s concept of advancing human knowledge. Liberal arts colleges, inspired by Cardinal Newman, emphasized holistic, broad-based learning.

Over time, these approaches merged into the hybrid system seen today. However, this blend has led to inefficiencies and imbalances where certain aspects, like undergraduate teaching, are neglected.

Examples

• The Morrill Land-Grant Act transformed rural states by funding technical schools.
• German universities championed field-specific research over generalized teaching.
• Liberal arts colleges introduced interdisciplinary curriculums.

6. Higher Education Prioritizes Research Over Teaching

Modern universities prioritize research, often at the expense of undergraduate teaching. Professors focus on publications and experiments because these garner funding and career advancement. Teaching, both in terms of curriculum quality and effort, often takes a backseat.

Additionally, teaching assistants and untrained PhD candidates handle many undergraduate classes, resulting in inconsistent educational experiences. Such practices emphasize knowledge production rather than dissemination.

This misaligned focus leaves students paying premium tuition for subpar instruction, creating dissatisfaction, debt, and a lack of practical learning outcomes.

Examples

• Faculty advancements come from published papers, not teaching results.
• Large universities like Harvard funnel significant resources into research institutes.
• A substantial number of undergraduate courses are taught by grad students, not professors.

7. Financial Barriers Are Widening Inequality

American universities reinforce socioeconomic divides. Wealthy families can afford top-tier schools, while others take on enormous debts for degrees that sometimes hold less value.

Elite universities have become gatekeepers, admitting fewer lower-income students. Their exclusivity further drives tuition hikes as campuses compete to enhance their prestige through expensive facilities and programs. This arms race leaves middle- and working-class students behind.

The financial gap between schools also affects the quality of education, as smaller universities lack funding to offer competitive curriculums or facilities.

Examples

• Elite universities accept only a limited number of low-income students.
• Tuition has dramatically outpaced inflation over the last 30 years.
• Community colleges struggle with underfunding compared to flagship state schools.

8. Online Learning Offers Flexibility That Traditional Colleges Lack

One of the most compelling aspects of the University of Everywhere is its flexibility. Students can engage with coursework on their own schedules, accommodating personal responsibilities like jobs or family care.

Online platforms grant students the freedom to pause, rewind, or fast-forward through lessons. This personalized pace supports better comprehension and retention. While the lack of in-person teaching presents challenges, virtual progress still outpaces the constrained structure of lecture halls.

Such adaptability bridges local and global divides, allowing students in rural areas or underserved communities to pursue world-class educations.

Examples

• The author adjusted the pace of his biology class through edX for better understanding.
• Online learners can retake tests or quizzes to reinforce mastery.
• Gig-economy workers access education after hours without disrupting income streams.

9. The University of Everywhere Promotes a More Equitable Future

By eliminating unnecessary barriers, the University of Everywhere opens educational doors for millions of people. Without exorbitant fees, students can gain knowledge without crushing debt.

Online education also removes geographic obstacles, offering opportunities to students in rural or under-resourced regions. Diverse learning programs ensure that no one is left behind, regardless of background, making education more inclusive.

While work remains to enhance e-learning experiences, this model already introduces transformational progress in how we obtain knowledge and join the workforce.

Examples

• MOOCs, like those on Coursera or edX, provide affordable specialized knowledge.
• Rural students access world-class courses and instructors without relocation.
• Online education adapts to various lifestyles, catering to full-time employees and parents.

Takeaways

1. Explore free or affordable online courses to supplement traditional education or build new skills in your field.
2. Advocate for systemic changes in higher education that prioritize quality undergraduate teaching over institutional prestige.
3. Leverage flexible e-learning opportunities to balance education with career or personal commitments.