Top Colleges; Top Dollar

The U.S. News and World Report just released their picks for the top graduate schools in the country for 2009 (obviously ranked in 2008).

Upon reviewing the list, which included subcategories for business, law, medical, engineering, fine arts and other grad schools, I couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

Every one of those top schools cost upwards of $35,000 per year. Waaaaaaaaaay more than the average 22-year-old has the capacity to pay. Or inkling about what that amount of money actually means. If a grad student does not come from parents with money or the extreme presence of mind to stock some cash away when the child is first conceived, then that kid is going to have trouble figuring out how to pay down a hefty loan with their entry-level pay check. (Yes, even six years in school does not guarantee you’ll start off making a six-figure income.)

It doesn’t seem fair.

Should the best universities in the country be reserved for those students with the most money? Should a student who wishes to better him/herself be relegated to pay off thousands of dollars in loans just to get the best education? Can’t there be a better way?

Are you as frustrated as I am? Leave me your thoughts below.

Photo © Flickr user freshwater2006