Go to college Johnny…
Jean Carlo Philipps
ENG102
Arizona State University
Abstract
This document touches on the problem of high tuition costs within the United States educational
system. The paper focuses on the stress, financial burden, and hindering of pursuing the
American dream, more locally, in Virginia. Furthermore, this paper attempts to identify the
causes and effects surrounding the said focus by providing statistical sources and anecdotal
sources that impact Virginians. This papers suggest an updated method of pursuing higher
education and in the process alleviating stress, financial burdens, and a fluid pursuit of one’s
dreams.
Imagine, the white picket fence, the dog playing in the yard, and the children playing
with one another. Then all the sudden, this beautiful vision is shattered by the outrageous rising
cost of tuition. The monthly bill payed that could have gone to buying a house. The monthly bill
payed that could have gone to affording a family. The monthly bill payed that could have gone to
buying car. Has society led the young adults astray by conveying a cookie cutter version of what
success looks like through a college degree? Although high tuition keeps higher education
competitive, it creates stress, financial burden, and the inability to pursue the American dream in
Virginia.
There are testimonials about the real costs of student debt that apply for all students.
“One woman told us she and her husband would have had another child if they hadn’t been
paying hundreds of dollars a month toward their student loan debt” (Simon, 2015). This is the
