College can be prohibitively expensive.

Byline: Frank Lepore

COLUMN: Frankly Speaking

There are times when strange things happen to me while I am shaving. It is my perverse habit to listen to the radio while I am doing this unwelcome deed. And then, the other day, a rather startling item came through which left me with a couple of nicks and feeble attempts to staunch a minor blood flow.

During the news segment, the announcer came up with a rather disconcerting statistic. According to his rather cheery announcement, it would appear that the average cost of a four-year education at a private college or university would reach the outstanding total (to me at least) of $197,000 - give or take a few thousand. Of course, one may assume there may be an additional few thousand for trips home, a beer or two, and other incidentals.

Actually, and fortunately, such an outlandish sum has no present effect on me for my own children have long ago completed their post-secondary school education, and are now busily engaged in professional careers. Still, such an enormous sum left me with my head in a swoon, more so than usual.

I do recognize that there are scholarships, loans, grants, etc., which tend to mitigate the total overall cost. Still, it must be accepted that there are very, very few who will complete a college education without being saddled with a future heavy burden. And most of the ones without having incurred a heavy debt are athletes, such as basketball or football players who attend on athletic scholarships, and then only for a year or two while they hone their athletic skills and then leave for professional careers.

Is it all really worth it? This startling radio announcement also pointed out that a married couple, both of whom completed a four-year college program, were still paying loans when they were in their 40s. What a burden to have, and then starting their own families and beginning to save for college for their own children.

I readily accept the need for many professional careers, such as doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, etc., but from my own experience working many years at a college, at the majority of the institutions, the first two years of college are the same everywhere as far as subject matter is concerned. Whether at a community or state college, or an Ivy League institution, the curriculum for the first two years is comparable. The major is declared for the third year.

Yes, I recognize the prestige involved, the sports picture, the "growing up" away from home, the supposed superiority of prestigious institutions, etc. Still, necessity rears its ugly head: It may be a true necessity for some to enroll at a community college for two years to lessen the cost for beleaguered parents and students. I recognize only too well that many would not be willing to accept such a diverse path, but economics also has an ugly head.

Quite frankly, I do not accept the premise that one must attend college to be really successful. And it's sort of puzzling, to me at least, that as soon as a child is born, proud parents immediately indicate that he or she is definitely headed for college. Is there already an indication that the child has the ability to absorb a college education?

I also would take issue with the idea expressed by some - mostly college recruiters - that a college education is absolutely necessary to be financially successful. Statistics showing the supposed disparity in future earnings are open to question.

Of course, a capable doctor will earn more than a carpenter, and justly so. But there would seem to be many tradesmen - police officers, and even toll takers - with less than college degrees, who earn a decent living and do not reside in ramshackle shacks.

My sympathy does extend to those parents of three children, four children, or more, all of whom show the ability to cope with a college education, for the cost for their three or four children will reach more than a $1 million ... a very tidy sum. Yes, I do recognize there will be some aid offered, but certainly not enough to make it all a free ride. Inevitably, both parents will be working diligently to foot the total bill.

So what is the answer? Is a college education to be reserved primarily for the wealthy? Such an eventuality would really not bode well for the nation. One will note that a majority of the top political figures come from exclusive prep schools and prestigious colleges, and have not done a truly admirable job leading the nation.

I still do not think college is for everyone. There are other paths of life that can bring happiness and success to many deserving men and women, without the frightening expense of nearly $200,000 for four years, and climbing.

Frank Lepore is a freelance columnist and former longtime West Boylston educator..