The state university systems are already doing this quite well. In my state, there's one "flagship" university, that also has the football and basketball teams. And a number of regional universities, commuter campuses, trade schools, and so forth. The regional universities have the same admission standards as the main campus, but fewer graduate and professional programs etc. Some of them specialize, e.g., one campus has the big nursing school. Sure, there is more prestige at the big campus, and students try to get in there if they can, but it's a well kept secret that the regional colleges are just as good for basic undergraduate education. And cheaper.
The community colleges in my state are so great. They do such a huge service, and they do it economically. You can get a 4 year degree by spending 2 years at a community college and the other 2 at a state university. That's like the bargain of the century. The CoCo's keep an eye on the curriculum at the big schools, so the students are prepared, and there's no hassle with transferring credits. And their focus is on teaching.
Disclosure: One of my kids attends the big school, the other is at one of the regional schools, both are in good situations.
I think that the "elite" schools can be left to their own devices, on their own funding, and turn themselves into a freak show if they want. Public attention should turn towards supporting and developing better access to education for the rest of us, starting with the community college system.
In a few decades, I hope we will look back on privatized higher education, the way we look on privatized health care today.
The community colleges in my state are so great. They do such a huge service, and they do it economically. You can get a 4 year degree by spending 2 years at a community college and the other 2 at a state university. That's like the bargain of the century. The CoCo's keep an eye on the curriculum at the big schools, so the students are prepared, and there's no hassle with transferring credits. And their focus is on teaching.
Disclosure: One of my kids attends the big school, the other is at one of the regional schools, both are in good situations.
I think that the "elite" schools can be left to their own devices, on their own funding, and turn themselves into a freak show if they want. Public attention should turn towards supporting and developing better access to education for the rest of us, starting with the community college system.
In a few decades, I hope we will look back on privatized higher education, the way we look on privatized health care today.