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Comment by jkaufman | Hacker News Reader

Between programs like OCW and Khan Academy, how long can education costs continue to increase at their current rates?

I can't imagine students in the future accepting paying $50k? $60k? more? per year when the opportunity exists for inexpensive and high quality programs online. Maybe a lower cost hybrid program would work (to allow for better peer and faculty interaction) or at least the acceptance of an online degree. Probably not immediate future - but I imagine that changes to our higher education system will come.

http://www.collegescholarships.org/research/student-loans/

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Presumably at places like MIT the credential value of a degree is still worth a lot, particularly for those looking for careers in credential-reliant sectors such as academia, but one wonders for how long second- and third-tier institutions with low or no credential value can continue when excellent and free programs like this are so widely available.

I asked this of a friend who went to SVA in New York for graphic design. He said that the real benefit of an excellent, yet expensive, college, is in learning from real people and having the course tailored to the current situation. He said the students, while talented, weren't any different from those at another college. Sure, you can learn how to design by yourself, and many of the greats have, but it's much more efficient to learn from a master.

Feedback, really. A good college is partially about good company, and partially about great professors.

Right now there's a ton of information, but it's tantamount to books, and PBS videos. Once there's an online college, to help guide the student through the material, there'll be a real revolution. Until then, OpenCourseware will strictly be for those who know where they're going.

I agree completely. I'm a CS student at MIT and I've used OCW here and there to supplement courses or to fill in when I've missed a lecture, etc. It definitely helps and it's nice to have all those resources. I think it's a great service. But honestly, I think the value of my education comes from being around tons of people who are really brilliant (and make me feel dumb heheh). Seeing a problem set online and working on it by yourself is way different than working with a group of people and seeing how they think and gaining new perspectives. Also, of course, going to college is far more than just the in-class education. There are research opportunities, competitions, etc... and the social aspects obviously. I also have the option of going to office hours, talking to TAs/professors, etc. Interaction is what's lacking in OCW but maybe that's something that will happen in the future.

I think an apprenticeship combined with online material would be more valuable and definitely more practical from a financial standpoint.

I completely agree with you .. several times i've been in debate with my friends (and they just dont get it) that cost of education is going to go lower and lower (and not higher as it is surveyed & assumed) - the only thing that would matter is quality of teachers/teaching environment ...

i think it's great startup idea to create an online college based on open courseware and conduct virtual classes and group sessions to help students - also eventually offer degrees ...

Depending on the degree, you can wind up getting access to things you don't get through OCW alone. As a biology student, I was able to get involved in research and help with tagging & tracking elephant seals, and when I switched to engineering I got access to thousands and thousands of dollars in equipment and software, among other things.

The resources of a full-on University are part of what make it worthwhile, at least for science-y degrees.

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