Philosophical-the future of B&M universities

[Merlin]

There is already some traction to cut student loans. First, with grad/professional student loans, then to reappropriate those funds to grants for undergraduates. Ultimately, to eliminate or severely limit the qualifications for undergraduate loans. The idea being, that the federal student loan limits is artificially influencing the tuition charged by schools. The tuition rates continue to rise to meet the amount of money the average student is allowed to borrow.

My personal take is that higher education in the US will go down one of two paths:

1. Some future administration will change the rules and create a government subsidized "free" college education system so anyone who wants to will be able to get a traditional 4-year degree at a public college or university. Schools will probably be forced to accept all applicants as part of that. Of course, the ivy leagues and other top private schools will still remain elite, independent, and expensive (even more so since they won't be getting any government money.)

2. Due to a lack of funding, most public colleges will close their doors, though some will move to online-only. The top private schools will remain open and will cater purely to those who can afford it. This will widen the gap between social strata and link "quality of education" to social status so "normal people" will with a college degree will have online educations and wealthy people will have B&M education from a top university.