In addition, the actual cost of attending these schools may be prohibitive for the majority of the population, unless blessed with a scholarship.
Below is the 2011-2012 breakdown for the cost increases at the Ivy League schools accounting for tuition, room, board, and fees: Columbia University – TBD – 2010-2011 cost was $56,684 Dartmouth College – 5.9% increase – $55,365 Cornell University – 4.5% increase – $54,645 University of Pennsylvania – 3.9% increase – $53,976 Brown University – 3.5% increase – $53,136 Yale University – 5.8% increase – $52,700 Harvard University – 3.8% increase – $52,650 Princeton University – 1% increase – $49,069Thus a four year course will launch the student into the world carrying an interest bearing 200,000+ debt load which must also be considered and which in itself creates an unfair advantage to the very rich. I recently heard that government loans for tuition fees generated 30,000,000 dollars in interest over a 10 year period (if I recall correctly). I have always assumed that government cannot make a profit on the services it provides. I find it curious that this is a legal practice which obviously stifles a fundamental right to "earn" a degree and not "buy" your way through.