The Gist: According to a new report released by MyElearningWorld, college students today need to work about four times as many hours on minimum wage as students 30 years ago to access the same education.
The report shows that the average student at a public university in 2023 would have to work 2,022 hours on average at a minimum wage job to cover a year of tuition, compared to around 500 hours in the past.
By The Numbers:
- 30 years ago, the average student at a public university could pay for a full year of tuition by working around 500 hours at a minimum wage job
- Today, the same student would have to work 2,022 hours on average at a minimum wage job to cover a year of tuition at a public university (~39 hours each week, all year long)
- Students who want to attend a private university would have to work about 4,646 hours on average at a minimum wage job to cover a year of tuition (~89 hours each week, every week of the year)
Why It Matters: The report highlights the increasing financial burden placed on college students and their families. With tuition costs rising faster than the rate of inflation and wages remaining stagnant, many students are forced to work long hours just to pay for their education. This can have a negative impact on their academic performance and overall well-being, and may discourage some from pursuing higher education altogether.
More Information: The report also includes a state-by-state breakdown of the data, showing how much students in each state would need to work to pay tuition. It is available for viewing on MyElearningWorld’s website: https://myelearningworld.com/college-tuition-minimum-wage-study/
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