Over the past decade, the United States has emphasized the importance of college education for those seeking better jobs and careers. For most people, college is the logical next step in education, providing practical knowledge of a desired field and opening doors to many opportunities, but college has become more and more expensive as time has gone on. Many people feel that college is no longer a financial option. Even with financial aid and scholarships, the cost of a college education can still be very burdensome. This is due to the massive increase in prices on all fronts, but the main issue on most people's minds is the debt that will be acquired from higher education. Debt associated with higher education is one of the biggest deterrents for most people interested in college, and that's not at all surprising. 71% of college seniors who graduated last year had student loan debt, and the average debt for a college student with a four-year degree is $29,400. This number has increased by an average of 6% each year. Keep in mind that this is only the average debt and there are students who have debts above $30,000 dollars (projectonstudentdebt.org). Now to understand why debt is so high it is best to break down the different costs of higher education. The first and most important of which is school fees. Tuition is the cost of attending classes at a college or university and is the most expensive part of a college education as it makes up 60% of the overall price (Bashkar and Gopalan). Tuition has become increasingly more expensive over the years and has increased by almost 500% since 1986, which is much higher than inflation or tuition (Willie). The question is, why has there been such a mass... middle of paper... Textbook prices are rising faster than tuition and inflation." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ . Np, nd Web. 7 December 2013. Guide to Online Schools. “A Breakdown of the Costs of a College Education.” Guide to Online Schools, nd Web 7 December 2013. .Kowal, Joe Ableidinger and Bryan C. Hassel of tenure reform in K-12 schools." By Emily Hassel: np, nd No. page. Public impact on the role of teachers. .Center for College Affordability and Productivity the cost of college." Center for College Affordability and Productivity, September 2010. Web. December 11. 2013. .