Affording the Experience

As you are likely aware, the cost of higher education at the three regent universities of the State of Iowa is on the rise. Last week, the Board of Regents approved a six percent tuition increase for the upcoming academic year. This rising cost will continue to place a large financial burden on Iowa State students. While most students are aware that costs will continue to climb, many do not realize how dire the financial situation is already for students at Iowa State.

"Iowa State University student debt rankings." A quick Google search for a combination of those terms yields troubling results. A multitude of sites identify Iowa State on their watch lists for schools with the most debt accumulated per graduating senior. "The Project on Student Debt" recently listed Iowa as number one nationwide for most debt. Iowa State University is named by every source, including the Board of Regents, as the school within Iowa with the highest numbers - over $30,000 per student! Looking through Google results, it is shocking to see Iowa State on so many lists, especially short lists. Some show Iowa State in an unordered Top 10 or Top 5. Some even identify Iowa State as #1 nationally due to the state's rank and Iowa State's contribution to that ranking. Lists of "Top Overall Colleges" often must send Iowa State down their ranks due to these factors. How can our university keep students here and attract new minds when the costs of attendance are so high?

GSB currently identifies the student debt problem as a major issue. Why, then, has no progress and so little initiative by the current administration been seen to help solve this problem? Over the next three days, you'll hear how the Roling/Dobbels campaign will actively seek to take on the student debt problem at Iowa State. You'll learn about our specific plans for working with university administration, state governments, and the students of Iowa State to make significant progress towards making the educational experience affordable for all.

Iowa State is highly ranked nationally in many areas: some academic, some athletic, and some aesthetic. This is one area in which we literally cannot afford to make national rankings.