• Discounts and special offers
  • Subscriber-only articles and interviews
  • Breaking news and trending topics

Already a subscriber?

By signing up, you accept Moneywise's Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

Not interested ?

$95,000 a year?

In the interview, Varney highlighted that the cost of tuition, room and board at some colleges could reach $95,000.

Rowe promptly pointed out that this figure does not cover four years.

“That's for a year or a semester. That's not for the diploma — do that times four,” he said.

Addressing the shockingly high costs of higher education, Mike Rowe offered a perspective on how society views this financial burden, stating, “It's so expensive, that for as long as I can remember we really haven't talked about it in terms of a purchase. We talked about it in terms of an investment, but people are starting to smell a rat there, too.”

Rowe emphasized the straightforward nature of affordability, asserting that an item is either within one's financial means or it is not. He further underscored that the true value of higher education hinges on whether a tangible return on investment (ROI) can be ascribed to it.

“I think more and more people are starting to look at that diploma on the wall and seeing it for what it actually is, which is a receipt,” he concluded.

Kiss your credit card debt goodbye

Millions of Americans are struggling to crawl out of debt in the face of record-high interest rates. A personal loan offers lower interest rates and fixed payments, making it a smart choice to consolidate high-interest credit card debt. It helps save money, simplifies payments, and accelerates debt payoff. Credible is a free online service that shows you the best lending options to pay off your credit card debt fast — and save a ton in interest.

Explore better rates

Return on investment

While most universities don’t charge $95,000 annually, the costs involved can nevertheless be significant.

The average annual cost of college in the U.S. — inclusive of books, supplies and living expenses — stands at $36,436 per student, according to the Education Data Initiative. That number has more than doubled since the turn of the century.

Moreover, the ROI for higher education may not be as substantial as previously believed.

Rowe mentioned a Wall Street Journal article highlighting a shortage of skilled tradespeople and how that deficit is driving up the pay in those fields.

The article, referencing data from payroll services provider ADP, pointed out that the median salary for new hires in construction was $48,089 in 2023, compared to $39,520 for new hires in professional services.

“That’s the fourth year that median annual pay for new construction hires has eclipsed earnings for new hires in both the professional services and information sectors — such as accountants or IT maintenance workers — ADP says,” the article states.

Sponsored

The richest 1% use an advisor. Do you?

Wealthy people know that having money is not the same as being good with money. Advisor can help you shape your financial future and get connect with expert guidance . A trusted advisor helps you make smart choices about investments, retirement savings, and tax planning. Try Advisor now.

Jing Pan Investment Reporter

Jing is an investment reporter for MoneyWise. He is an avid advocate of investing for passive income. Despite the ups and downs he’s been through with the markets, Jing believes that you can generate a steadily increasing income stream by investing in high quality companies.

Disclaimer

The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.