Tuition Inflation and Student Success

Enrolment in post-secondary education remains relatively stable in Canada although tuition costs are continually on the rise. As government funding for universities decreases, universities are forced to raise tuition costs to compensate for this loss and continue to operate. Although inflation is an expected outcome of our dynamic culture, tuition prices rise at a dramatic rate in comparison to any other commodity. The following paragraphs will present a critical analysis of tuition hikes in relation to student finances and success.


Decreases in government funding for universities could be a result of university education becoming a lower priority for government involvement. The government lessens their level of financial involvement in university education and students continue to pay higher prices - it is notable that as tuition increases, enrolment does not decrease. This is a possible result of the socioeconomic importance placed on an undergraduate degree now as compared to a decade or more before. An undergraduate degree went from being an option for those who wanted to further their education to what may seem like only a necessary starting point on the path to success. As well, instead of an end point for educational endeavours as it once may have been, an undergraduate degree is more on par with a high school diploma by way that it is only facilitating the further perusal of one’s education. An undergraduate degree has moved from being just a choice to an expectation. It has become only a mere gateway to further education – its value and importance has dramatically decreased.

This extreme tuition inflation also affects the overall morale of the university student. More students are forced to work part-time or even full-time while taking a degree in order to compensate for these increases in tuition costs. Some students are not able to get a large enough loan to allow for unemployment during university while others work to lighten the looming burden of extreme debt levels that often accompany a university education. Based on this need to work, the commitment level of students is weakening and the age in which students are graduating is increasing. The amount of time it takes to complete only an undergraduate is much longer than in past years. If one was thinking of taking graduate studies, post professional programs or any further courses of this nature they are looking at lengthier periods of time between when they began their education and when they can finally apply their knowledge in the field because the time span to complete a degree, for financial reasons, is now often longer and some students may even need to take years off in between an undergraduate degree and professional or graduate studies in order to regain some form of financial stability. This is quite the contrast in comparison to even just a mere few years ago  and dramatically affects students and society by lengthening the period of time between beginning an educational path and entering the work force as an educated professional.

This demand to obtain funds to facilitate what is now in most cases expected – a university education – places a stress on students in more than just a financial aspect but as well in a time management aspect. Students who are forced to work throughout their studies have a higher level of stress and less time is spent applying oneself in the form of studying and student engagement with courses and activities. Increased tuition is damaging the valuable university experience that continues to shape and mould individuals beyond their high school education. There are many opportunities that are available to university students that often students cannot take advantage of based on work commitments or lack of funds as a result of a heightened tuition.

For the majority of university students, their degrees feel like a necessary struggle they must endure. All the previously mentioned issues branch from tuition hikes. The circumstances for students are dramatically worsening, and the expectations for students are weighing heavier, to the point where if inflation increases at this rate fewer generations will be able to obtain degrees and therefore miss out on an incredibly valuable, intellectually stimulating, character building experience. I believe students must make their voices heard on the topic of tuition hikes and these circumstances need to be critically assessed, because no struggle should go unaddressed.