Question

Discuss the opportunity costs of attending college for four years. Is college more or less costly than you thought it was? Explain.

Short answer

The actual opportunity cost of attending college for four years can vary greatly depending on a multitude of factors, making it potentially more or less costly than initially perceived. Factors to consider include not only direct costs such as tuition and living expenses, but also potential income lost by choosing to study instead of work, as well as non-monetary costs, like time and effort.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Monetary Costs

The first step is to identify all the direct expenses associated with attending college for four years. These include tuition fees, book costs, housing, meals, transportation, etc.

Calculate Opportunity Cost in terms of Lost Income

Next, the potential income that could be earned if those four years were spent in work instead of going to college should be estimated. This is typically the income that could be earned from a full-time job.

Evaluate non-monetary costs

Consider non-monetary costs, such as the time and effort devoted to studying, which might have been used elsewhere. This is often harder to quantify, but it's necessary to have a full picture of the cost.

Compare Costs with Initial Perceptions

Finally, the total costs calculated should be compared with what was initially thought to be the cost of attending college. This comparison will help determine whether college is more or less costly than initially perceived.