College is an institution of higher education, providing general or liberal arts education rather than technical or vocational training; and for years it has been determined to represent the best investment. Popular opinion holds that attending college is critical to social and economic achievement, and the lack of a college degree diminishes employment, personal pride, and success. However, nothing in American history has increased and continues to increase as much as the cost of college tuition, which has now increased by over five hundred (500) percent since 1985 (Rampell). Research shows that the rising cost of education creates more debt for students, a college degree does not guarantee social or economic success, and causes additional stress, which can lead to suicide. Additionally, research also shows that career and technical education is more beneficial than earning a college degree. Furthermore, considering the rate of self-made billionaires without a college education and degree, the depreciation in the value of an American college degree, and today's job market heavily based on “who you know instead of what you know,” the institution of college continues to be seen as more obsolete. Therefore, delaying success until earning a college degree is ridiculous and causes a disadvantage for those who have already started their careers. Tuition and Tuition Fees Tuition is the price that is charged to attend classes at a private school, college or university. Tuition represents an additional cost for campus facilities, including labs, computers, and recreation centers, etc., along with tuition, which creates the total cost of attending college. Where the college is located – whether it is in the student's state of residence or not – the type of college and the student's enrollment s...... middle of the document ...... News. USNews & World Report, December 4, 2013. Web. December 11, 2013."Stress and college students." University of Florida Counseling and Wellness Center. Np, nd Web. December 15, 2013. “Depression and College Students.” National Institute of Mental Health RSS. Np, nd Web. December 15, 2013.Lewin, Tamar. “For-profit colleges mislead students, report finds.” New York Times. The New York Times News, August 3, 2010. Web. December 18, 2013. Luhby, Tami. “Recent Graduates Face Bad Employment.” CNN money. Cable News Network, June 25, 2013. Web. December 18, 2013.Khimm, Suzy. “Are professional degrees a better path to employment?” Washington Post. The Washington Post News, December 5, 2011. Web. December 18, 2013.Zhao, Emmeline. "Education Olympics: How Does America Rank Compared to Other Countries? (INFOGRAPHIC)." The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post News, July 27, 2012. Web. December 18. 2013.