Good question, Alan. We know that while students are taking on larger debt loads, some state-assisted universities are experiencing declining or stagnant enrollments. We also know that in recent years an average of 7-8 private colleges are closing (WSJ article).

My thinking? Behemoth state-assisted universities - Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Arizona State, etc - will endure. Some smaller schools including Ohio have a chance to endure if led/managed creatively and strongly. Elite private schools will endure.

I grew up in a cloistered small town. Going to OU opened my eyes and thinking to different people with different beliefs. That's still the case for many students - as their parents and grandparents well know. Our nation's future will be brighter if somehow, someway a goodly number of universities and colleges manage to endure.

Alan,
I think the answer is somewhat intangible, "you know it when you see it" kind of thing, or maybe more accurately "you know it when it's missing." Beyond the classroom, the college experience includes so many seemingly trivial things: living on your own, scheduling your time, talking professionally with adults, being away from your mom or dad who often do too much for you to begin with, dealing with people from new places and who bring a whole different approach to most everything, from studying to the way they brush their teeth. Dealing with roommates, odors, who's sweeping the floor? and dealing with a noisy neighbor. Partitioning class time, party time, study time, recreation time, visiting home time. Taking part, getting involved in new things you didn't even know existed. Gaining empathy for others, the struggles they face, and on and on and on.

To me, the lack of these things, and more, are a major drawback to the online education trend and to commuter schools in general. These things are a substantial part of "the college experience." They are not absolutely necessary. You can get a very good education in so many places, community colleges, online universities, etc. But the whole package is heavily influenced by the students total experience.

Thoughtful answer Robert but after reading the post from RP after yours, I have to ask whether all of those things are only attainable through an on campus college experience and maybe more importantly, are they worth the cost of $100,000 or more?

Financially that's a pretty reasonable decision, but its not entirely risk free: if she still wants to go to vet school at the end of it she'd better have a 4.0 her first two years (and pretty close to one her last two years) and volunteer heavily at vet clinics/hospitals in her area throughout. Getting into vet school is highly competitive, and having 2 years of junior college on one's transcript might (and I stress might) serve as a competitive disadvantage, all else being equal.