<p>“[S]ince the early 1990s, colleges have been reinventing themselves using a business model, transforming themselves into Diplomas Inc., run by a new breed of college administrator more interested in retaining customers than educating students," education reporter Craig Brandon wrote in his recent book, <em><a href="http://www.thefiveyearparty.com/" target="_blank">The Five-Year Party</a></em>."</p><p>Let's take a look at a summary of the Pew survey's key findings: </p><p><strong>Cost and Value.</strong> A majority of Americans (57%) say the higher education system in the United States fails to provide students with good value for the money they and their families spend . . .</p><p><strong>Monetary Payoff.</strong> Adults who graduated from a four-year college believe that, on average, they are earning $20,000 more a year as a result of having gotten that degree . . .</p><p><strong>Student Loans.</strong> A record share of students are leaving college with a substantial debt burden, and among those who do, about half (48%) say that paying off that debt made it harder to pay other bills . . .</p><p><strong>Why Not College?</strong> Nearly every parent surveyed (94%) says they expect their child to attend college, but even as college enrollments have reached record levels, most young adults in this country still do not attend a four-year college . . .</p><p><strong>Split Views of College Mission.</strong> Just under half of the public (47%) says the main purpose of a college education is to teach work-related skills and knowledge, while 39% say it is to help a student grow personally and intellectually . . .</p><p><strong>For Most College Graduates, Missions Accomplished.</strong> Among survey respondents who graduated from a four-year college, 74% say their college education was very useful in helping them grow intellectually . . .</p><p><strong>Above All, Character.</strong> While Americans value college, they value character even more. Asked what it takes for a young person to succeed in the world, 61% say a good work ethic is extremely important . . .</p><p>There's much more, so check it out. Plus, as Jenna Johnson asks, "What do you think? Is college easier than a decade or a generation ago? Or is it just different? Let me know in the comments."</p><p rel="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">**********</p><p style="text-align: left;">Be sure to check out all my admissions-related articles and book reviews at <a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/" target="_blank">College Confidential</a>.</p>
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