Recent research shows that a majority of Americans believe that university is out of reach financially. They believe this because fees have increased by 250% in the last 30 years, and the average graduate leaves with $25,000 in student loan debt.
In New Zealand, the figures are worse. The average university student is charged fees of around $5,000 - $7,500 each year (some courses like medicine cost much more). Thirty years ago, in New Zealand, university was more or less free. In 1990, a standard fee of $1,250 was introduced. That’s an increase of at least 400% in 25 years. In New Zealand, the average student loan debt is also around $25,000 at the time of leaving university. It’s time for us as a country to have a debate on fairness in tertiary education and to stop treating students as cash cows who can fund higher and higher costs without question.
In New Zealand, the figures are worse. The average university student is charged fees of around $5,000 - $7,500 each year (some courses like medicine cost much more). Thirty years ago, in New Zealand, university was more or less free. In 1990, a standard fee of $1,250 was introduced. That’s an increase of at least 400% in 25 years. In New Zealand, the average student loan debt is also around $25,000 at the time of leaving university. It’s time for us as a country to have a debate on fairness in tertiary education and to stop treating students as cash cows who can fund higher and higher costs without question.