What is the value of a college education? - Scott D. Miller, For The Virginian-Pilot

The research is clear that broad liberal arts skills (communication, analysis, problem-solving) not only remain in demand by employers but also add value to employees’ long-term versatility and marketability. Still, many budget-conscious legislators, families, business leaders and educators themselves expect bottom-line results. In some states, amid growing doubt about the investment of tuition dollars in a baccalaureate degree, there are calls to eliminate courses in literature, philosophy, history and other fields of the humanities. Students want and need technical, employable skills, not sonnets or syllogisms, it is said. Yet even community and technical schools can face enrollment challenges. That is true here in Virginia and other states as competition from online and for-profit-schools, combined with economic downturns or loss of available jobs, can erode enrollments. Budget cuts to public research universities persist in many areas of the country. There, the drive to produce economic outcomes from funded programs is a popular theme of legislators. https://pilotonline.com/opinion/columnist/guest/article_871c1222-644d-11e8-b775-b7f70555922c.html