Florida received an F for affordability in higher education despite some of the lowest tuition rates in the country, but it's easy to see why.
The National Center for Publicy Policy and Higher Education apparently thinks because poor families must pay 24 percent of their income toward education, it is grossly unaffordable. However, it makes sense for families to pay this much, if not more.
Education is a voluntary investment in one's own human capital. People go to school so they will someday have more rewarding or higher-paying jobs.
Because they benefit from this investment, they should also pay the cost.
By choosing to get an undergraduate degree and reap its rewards, people must also agree to pay the costs associated with it. This may be as high as 24 percent for some families, but the benefits in future employment will far outweigh that cost.
An undergraduate degree is not a right, and it should not be free for everyone who wants one.
People who want a degree but cannot pay through outside means (scholarships, need-based aid, parents, etc.) should plan on making some sacrifices or not getting the degree.
By grading 49 states an F, the center was clearly trying to make a statement about the affordability of all higher education. Higher education in Florida, though, is very affordable given its benefit-cost ratio.
If the center cannot comprehend this, then the state of Florida should give them an F for rating systems.
