I recently saw the discussion around charging differing tuition for different majors. Example: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/29/general-ne-differential-tuition_8442171.html

I’m no stranger to tuition based on major as I have both a business and engineering degree. Interestingly these degrees were significantly more expensive than say English or sociology.

The argument to charge more stems on one around value based pricing, people value these degrees “more” because they generally lead to a higher salary. The question is, why do they garner such a high salary? Is it that there is a lot of demand for good graduates with the skills these degrees teach?

If so, shouldn’t we do the opposite when deciding what to charge for these degrees? To be clear by “we” I mean society as a whole. If we demand some skill, shouldn’t we make it easier to gain that skill to help meet that demand?

The problem with pricing highly demanded degrees at a high price is that it’s a positive feedback. High prices reduce accessibility and thus supply which further increases demand. If you did the opposite you’d get a negative feedback and hopefully help address supply.

Let anyone who has the chops get an engineering degree. Even encourage people to give it a go with a lower price. Meet that demand.

What do you think? Should a sociology degree be more expensive than an engineering degree?

Note: I’m writing this up on an iPad on a car trip so please overlook any oddities above.