College Guide
Blog
Some California public colleges are now eager to publicize how much their schools are “worth.” According to a piece by Lisa Krieger in the San Jose Mercury News:
What’s a degree worth? It’s no longer measured by the number of days devoted to Milton, Marxism and margaritas. New data show that the midcareer median salary of a San Jose State University graduate is $92,900 — 21 times the current $4,440 investment for annual tuition.
“Families want to see the rate of return on their investment,” said King Alexander, president of Cal State Long Beach, who with Cal State Chancellor Charles Reed is leading the campaign to measure a college degree like a mutual fund, IRA or 401(k).
Not every school is so eager to play this game. Krieger reports that the University of California schools and Stanford aren’t interested in talking about the median career salaries of their graduates. Though for the record a Berkeley graduate’s median mid-career salary is $109,000 a year and Stanford’s median is $119,000.
“Educators have always said: ‘Trust us, it’s worth it.’ Now we can say ‘Here’s the data — make up your own mind.’ We think it shows that we’re a great bargain,” said Alexander.
Eventual salary might be an important thing to consider, but it’s probably best to avoid language like “We think it shows that we’re a great bargain.”
Cal State is much less of a bargain than it used to be. The CSU governing board recently decided that students next year will pay 15 percent higher tuition than they do now. Do graduates make 15 percent more money?
Facebook
Twitter
Milan Moravec on July 24, 2011 9:17 PM:
University of California (UC) tuition, fee increases are an insult. Californians face mortgage defaults, 12% unemployment, pay reductions, loss of unemployment benefits. No layoff or wage reductions for UC Chancellors, Faculty during greatest recession of modern times.
There is no good reason to raise tuition, fees when wage concessions are available. UC wages must reflect California's ability to pay, not what others are paid. If wages better elsewhere, chancellors, vice chancellors, tenured, non tenured faculty, UCOP apply for the positions. If wages determine commitment to UC Berkeley, leave for better paying position. The sky above the 10 campuses will not fall.
Pitch in for all Democrats, Republicans UC
No furloughs. UCOP 18% reduction salaries & $50 million cut.
Chancellors� Vice-Chancellors�, 18% cut. Tenured faculty 15% trim.
Non-Tenured, 10% reduction. Academic Senate, Council remove 100% costs salaries.
It is especially galling to continue to generously compensate chancellors, vice-chancellors, faculty while Californians are making financial sacrifices and faculty, chancellor, vice-chancellor turnover is one of the lowest of public universities.
The message that President Yudof, UC Board of Regent Chair Lansing, UC Berkeley Birgeneau are sending is that they have more concern for generously paid chancellors, faculty. The few at the top need to get a grip on economic reality and fairness.
The California Legislature needs a Bill to oversee higher education salaries, tuition