Table of Contents
Introduction 7
1 The Rising Cost of Not Going to College Pew Research Center 10
2 A College Degree Remains a Good Investment but Debt Is an Issue The Domestic Policy Council and the Council of Economic Advisers 20
3 A College Degree Is Not a Smart Investment for Everyone Stephanie Owen Isabel Sawhill 26
4 A Four-Year College Degree Is Not Preparing People for Today's Jobs Robert Reich 37
5 Strengthening Our Economy Through College for All David A. Bergeron Carmel Martin 41
6 The Economy Does Not Depend on Higher Education Arthur M. Cohen Carrie B. Kisker Florence B. Brawer 50
7 There Are Economic Benefits from Obtaining a College Degree Jonathan Rothwell 56
8 The Value of a College Degree Is Diminishing Over Time Richard Vedder Christopher Denhart Jonathan Robe 60
9 National Security and Prosperity Depend on Greater College Completion Jamie Merisotis 65
10 A College Education Is a Right, Not an Investment Mario Goetz 69
11 There Should Be Alternatives to the Four-Year College Degree Diana G. Carew 73
12 College Diplomas Are Meaningless. This Is How to Fix Them Reid Hoffman 77
Organizations to Contact 89
Bibliography 94
Index 100