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s1artibartfastlast Wednesday at 9:36 PM3 repliesview on HN

Because education is largely an afterthought, and universities primarily compete on entertainment and prestige.

High cost and exclusivity is the entire point.

A university open to all with a fraction of the price would be a poorly ranked one in every competitive measure.


Replies

PittleyDunkinlast Wednesday at 9:52 PM

> universities primarily compete on entertainment and prestige.

I like to call this "resort-style education".

nuancebydefaultlast Wednesday at 10:18 PM

Still, I do not get it. Why would this competition / exclusivity rule be so much less prevalent in large parts of Europe?

I don't want to say Europe is without problems, but I think this kind of legislation, together with social security in general, is a clear example of how it can be handled more efficient and fair for most people.

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currymjlast Wednesday at 10:45 PM

actually ETHZ and EPFL are very good and highly ranked, and have cheap tuition and open enrollment. i don’t know how they do it. I guess things just work better in Switzerland.

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