227: Understanding the Racket of Higher Education

College can be an extraordinary investment. It can also be an extraordinarily expensive way to avoid deciding what you want to do with your life. In this episode of the Aligned Money Show, George Grombacher examines the economics and incentives behind modern higher education: rising costs, taxpayer subsidies, student loans, administrative expansion, underemployment, and the accountability gap between universities and the students borrowing money to attend them. This isn't an anti-college argument. It's an argument for treating higher education like the enormous investment of time, attention, energy, and money that it is. You'll learn: • Why Milton Friedman questioned the economics of taxpayer-subsidized higher education • How the cost structure of public universities has changed • Why abundant financing can weaken price discipline • The role of administrative growth and why the right question is whether additional spending produces proportional value • Why student debt needs to be evaluated against expected outcomes • The financial-literacy irony of asking teenagers to make enormous borrowing decisions before teaching them how money works • Why college remains a great investment for many people—and a poor one for others • The questions every student and parent should ask before borrowing • How to compare college with community college, trades, apprenticeships, certifications, employer-funded education, military service, and entering the workforce The goal isn't a college degree. The goal is building a meaningful and prosperous life. Education should help you get there. Key takeaway: Don't ask, "Can I borrow the money?" Ask, "Should I borrow the money?" Before making one of the largest financial decisions of your life, ask good questions, demand good answers, do the math, and make the decision with your eyes wide open. Want to talk with a professional about where you are and where you want to go with your finances? This is the place: https://georgegrombacher.com/build-wealth/ Find George G’s books here https://amzn.to/3R2gIhH Did you get anything out of this episode? Do us a solid and leave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/alignedmoneyshow Learn more at GeorgeGrombacher.com. Buy George G a coffee (he loves coffee) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifeblood The Aligned Money Show is the podcast for Money Alignment Academy, copyright 2026.