A few generations ago "college" was an educational haven for the wealthy. The fees for prestigious universities were steep and, even when state colleges began the admittance project for local students, there was still a sort of mysterious choice which seemed to limit opportunities for enrollment and graduation. This elitism began to disappear at the end of World War II with the G.I. Bill which provided funding for veterans to attend the colleges of their choice. The various Civil Rights legislation then opened up the nearly all-=white preserve further for admitting students of various minorities. But, what has really ballooned the educational opportunities for even more millions was the advent of on-line "universities" which now offered courses and even degrees without having to leave one's home and actually attend "live" classes. There are many purists and academicians who still question the validity and the quality of such internet educational facilities.
There are many reasons for the success of online education. Cost is certainly a major one. Time is another, since there is no need for commuting and no cost for either campus or off-campus living. The important point is that the alternative for online education these days seems to be no higher learning opportunities at all. Time-stressed Americans fed up with commuting costs are already choosing online education. More than 4 million enrolled in at least one online course last fall, up from fewer than 2 million in 2003. And some of the biggest online players, such as the for-profit University of Phoenix, say new enrollment has jumped by about 20 percent since the economy began its decline more than a year ago" (Clark 48).
The degree courses are not free, of course, although there are opportunities to take courses merely to learn and which will not offer any specific degree. These are available at no charge on several websites. Even the ivy league schools now...