The Cult of University, Ctd The university bubble

In the video above and here we are introduced to 'Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses', a book by Richard Arum with Josipa Roksa, published January 2011. The video above said:

"As with the housing bubble, cheap and readilty available credit has let people borrow huge amounts of money to finance education, and both students and parents continue to believe that whatever the cost the college education is a necessary ticket to future prosperity."

 It continued:

"The book found that as prices have been going up, learning seems to be going down, as 45% of students did not demonstrate any significant improvement in learning during the first 2 years of collegeand 36% did not demonstrate any significant improvement in learning over 4 years of college. The primary reason is that course aren't very rigorous. In fact a recent survey of over 700 schools... found that many have virtually no requirements."

And here's the money shot:

"Perhaps that's why students are studying 50% less than they were a couple of decades ago and all of this is happening even as millions of college graduates can't find jobs."

Previous post in the series here where I wrote that a Sunday Times poll found that in many universities are more interested in research than their students. My posts on Jenni Russell here, here and here. Obama on the cult of university here. Other posts in The Cult of University series here, here, here, here and here, and on the University Neurosis here. On The Legally Blonde complex here and also a piece here. Also on the Huffington Post here. My blog post on YouGov who found that employers have found graduates non-work-ready, here. With The Sunday Times, apprenticeships and comments from young people here, and here on the effect of bringing university to the masses. In the Huffington Post here.