College has always been unaffordable. I think college is expensive to make 'middle class' or middle income families and students believe that it is something that is out of reach. The numbers are intimidating when it comes to researching prices for attending college. I think it is up to the college or university to conduct institution's business in such a way that makes it affordable or unaffordable for students to attend. So, someone or some people in high positions of authority at colleges make the conscious decision to keep the cost of attendance high not only to make sure that paychecks are plentiful but also to ensure that the 'class' of attendees is maintained. Middle and low income students, if attending in high numbers, could disrupt the integrity of the institution that perpetuates the idea that middle and low-income mean the same as middle and low-class. The intermingling of classes, it seems, is something to be held to a minimum.

The truth is college, in hindsight,does not have to be that expensive. If a student takes advantage of the right opportunities provided by the institution they attend, and if that student develops a network and effectively uses that network, they will find themselves out of college debt quickly. Internships in a specific field of interest are important because employers look for experience as well as education. Also, internships are another networking opportunity. Student groups are an opportunity to take on positions of leadership and gain experiences working with a team and leading a group of people. Essentially I am saying that the financial cost of a college education is well worth the experiences and knowledge that can be gained. It is important to realize, however, that it is not guaranteed that you gain the experience and knowledge simply because you attend class. You have to be forward thinking and you have to take advantage of those opportunities that are available - and you have to be motivated and you have to make some opportunities become available. It is not an easy task, it is also not impossible.

Anyone who decides to go to college may or may not be successful. This is not because college is a gamble, it is because college is hard. If you are disciplined and have the energy necessary to put forth the effort, you will have a successful life after college. Debt will pass, you just have to be willing to be short on cash for a while. Not everyone who goes to college goes into debt. If you tap into the right resources, find the right scholarships etc., it is possible that you may not have much or any debt at all after college.

However, this is more often not the case. Most graduates find themselves in debt. Try not to look at your debts after college as a bad thing. Think of it more as paying off a mortgage. When you make the decision to purchase a home you put together the money for the down payment and you get a loan - then you move into your house and you start paying on the mortgage. You didn't have a mortgage before but you also didn't have a home, so you take the positive with the difficult and you make the best of your situation.

So to answer the question what can be done about college being too expensive?
That is an issue that is up to the student to confront. So, what are you going to do about it?