If Colleges Go Virtual, Should Tuition be Slashed?

I think we can all agree that college can be expensive. I remember when I got accepted into Rider University and my parents were extremely happy for me, but also panicked and had no idea how they were going to pay for the tuition. We applied for student loans, like most do and I'll still be paying them off for a while. Despite the price, I had a great college experience at Rider and wouldn't be making this post if I hadn't gone there.

I can't imagine attending a college or university while this pandemic is happening. These college students have had to clean out their dorm rooms with only a few hours notice, and they've had to adjust to virtual learning very quickly as well. I know it has been a huge adjustment for people who have learning disabilities and need that in person instruction, but the good thing is, I know a lot of colleges and universities have had resources available for their students and I'm pretty sure professors have been lenient with their students.

Many universities and colleges have already announced that they will continue virtual learning throughout the summer as well as the fall semesters and college activities and sports are still in question. So that puts a question in all the minds of students, will they have to pay full price for tuition for the semester? According to Forbes, if colleges do plan to stay remote, 68% of Americans want tuition prices reduced. I'm assuming there will be options to opt-out of food plans and room and board charges will not apply since students will be living at home. So that will be cheaper for students, but I think students would like to pay less per credit. Many questions were asked to students about the upcoming semester and their answers can be found here.

Will colleges slash prices for the summer and fall semesters? Seeing as they should be compassionate that some college students and their parents may have lost their jobs, I think it should happen. On the other hand, colleges and universities have to pay their staff, so I understand if they can't lower the cost of tuition.