Smashing Down the Barriers

John Cousins
March 6, 2023
5 min read

Higher education is a gated system.

Higher education is a “gated system” because it can be difficult for some individuals to access and succeed in higher education. This limit is due to several factors, including financial barriers, lack of academic preparation, and social and cultural obstacles.

One of the most significant barriers to higher education is the cost. College tuition and fees have been rising faster than inflation for decades, making it increasingly difficult for low-income students and students from marginalized communities to afford a college education.

Many students can’t work enough hours to cover the cost of their education because of the time required to study and attend classes.

Another barrier to higher education is the need for more academic preparation. This limitation can be particularly true for students from low-income families and marginalized communities, who may not have had access to the same resources and opportunities as their more affluent peers.

These students may struggle to meet the academic requirements for college and may be less likely to succeed in college-level coursework.

In addition to financial and academic barriers, social and cultural obstacles can make it difficult for some individuals to access and succeed in higher education.

For example, first-generation college students may not have the support of their families or communities and may not know what to expect from the college experience.

Moreover, students from marginalized communities may face discrimination and bias from their peers, professors, and other college community members.

While higher education is a gated system, efforts are being made to reduce these barriers, such as scholarships and grants for low-income students, support programs for first-generation college students, and initiatives to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

There are still many challenges to overcome and much work to do to make higher education accessible.

It’s important to remember that Higher education provides numerous benefits, such as higher earning potential, better job opportunities, and improved life outcomes.

Therefore making it accessible to all will have a positive impact on society as a whole. Consequently, it’s a societal goal that we should strive to achieve.

Higher education has turned into a luxury good: exclusive, scarce, and expensive.

Higher education is a path to upward mobility and a better life. However, it has become increasingly apparent in recent years that higher education has become a luxury good: exclusive, scarce, and expensive.

One reason for this is the rising cost of college. Tuition and fees have been increasing faster than inflation for decades, making it difficult for many people to afford a college education.

The average cost of attendance at a four-year public college has risen by 28% over the past decade, while the median income has only gone up 8%. This spread has led to a situation where only the wealthy can afford college, and the rest are priced out.

Another reason why higher education has become a luxury good is the exclusivity and scarcity of certain institutions and programs. The most elite colleges and universities are highly selective, with acceptance rates in the single digits. For example, Stanford is at 4%, and Harvard is at 5%.

This exclusivity means that only a tiny percentage of applicants can attend these institutions, leaving most students with limited options.

Additionally, certain programs, such as medical, law schools, and MBA programs, have become increasingly selective, which leads to limited opportunities for many students.

Furthermore, the limited number of places in prestigious universities also leads to this exclusivity, with less funding for non-elite institutions and fewer opportunities for students to attend them.

This trend of higher education as a luxury good has significant societal implications. Only the wealthy can access the best opportunities and the highest-paying jobs.

It also perpetuates social inequality, as children from wealthy families are more likely to attend prestigious universities and have better job prospects. In contrast, children from low-income families struggle to afford college and are less likely to succeed in the workforce.

It’s important to remember that higher education is a key driver of economic growth and prosperity, and a well-educated population is crucial for the success of a country. As such, the trend of higher education as a luxury good is a concerning development that needs to be addressed.

Governments could do this by increasing funding for non-elite institutions, implementing policies that make college more affordable, and promoting social and economic mobility, so all individuals have the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background.

MBA ASAP

MBA ASAP to remedy this situation
Online, on-demand, affordable education

In light of the growing trends of higher education, I created MBA ASAP to help solve this problem.

Our goal is to provide online, on-demand, and affordable education for anyone who wants to pursue a master’s degree in business administration.

We believe that higher education should be accessible to all, regardless of financial situation or background.

To that end, we have designed our program to be entirely online, eliminating students’ need to relocate or take time off from work.

Online also makes it more affordable as students don’t have to bear additional costs such as room and board.

Additionally, our program is on-demand, so students can start whenever they want and study at their own pace. On-demand allows students to balance their education with other commitments, such as work and family.

In terms of affordability, we strive to offer the program at a fraction of the cost of traditional MBA programs without sacrificing the quality of education.

We have accomplished this by using technology to reduce overhead costs and reallocating resources to provide an intensive, interactive learning experience tailored to meet the needs of the modern learner.

We also offer financial aid and scholarships to make the program even more accessible for those who need it.

MBA ASAP is not just about providing an affordable education but also providing an education that is flexible, relevant, and tailored to the needs of the modern learner.

We believe that by providing an alternative to traditional MBA programs, we can help make higher education accessible to more people and promote social and economic mobility.

It’s time to break down the barriers to higher education and make it accessible. MBA ASAP is one solution to that problem by providing an online, on-demand, and affordable education that is flexible, relevant, and tailored to the needs of the modern learner.

I launched MBA ASAP to ensure that everyone could receive a top-notch business education Education at this price is a wise investment if you’re serious about advancing your career.

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John Cousins
Author, Entrepreneur, & Teacher

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