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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Why Is College So Expensive?

    College graduates have racked up more than a trillion dollars in student loan debt, raising questions about tuition, online learning and the "knowledge economy."

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    By Warren Olney • May 18, 2012 • 51m Listen

    College students and graduates have racked up more than a trillion dollars in student loan debt, as the cost of a higher education is rising fast. Why are colleges and universities increasing tuition instead of cutting expenses? Is online learning on the verge of changing the way Americans prepare themselves for employment in the so-called "knowledge economy?" Also, the G8 Summit convenes at Camp David. On Reporter's Notebook, this weekend, six playoff games will be played in both hockey and basketball — in one single arena. Crews will have 80 hours to change a wood floor into an ice rink and back again. It all happens at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

    Banner image: Students walk across the campus of the University of California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      The G8 Summit Convenes at Camp David

      President Obama today welcomed the new French President, François Hollande, to the White House for the first time. They're on their way to Camp David for the G8 Summit of the world's economic leaders. Michael Hirsh is chief correspondent for the National Journal .

      Read the story
      8 min
    2. 7:35

      Rising Cost and the Future of Higher Education

      Tuition and other expenses have gone up so much there's now a consensus that higher education costs too much, at the same time it's more necessary than ever. Two-thirds of students are taking out loans, and collectively owe a trillion dollars — more than the total of credit card debt.

      Read the story
      37 min
    3. 44:11

      Hectic Weekend at Staples Center

      Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says "there's been no better time" for LA sports fans in the history of Los Angeles. Three teams are in championship playoffs in different sports — all in the same arena — and just up the road at their stadium the Dodgers are leading their baseball division.

      Read the story
      7 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Lata Pandya

      Assistant Producer, To the Point/Which Way, LA?

      NewsNationalPolitics

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:008 min

      The G8 Summit Convenes at Camp David

    2. 7:3537 min

      Rising Cost and the Future of Higher Education

    3. 44:117 min

      Hectic Weekend at Staples Center

    Back to To the Point