Higher education in America continues to be critical to both individual success and the social and economic health of our country. A university degree is no longer a luxury. By 2020, 65% of all jobs in the United States will require post-secondary education. Although college attendance has increased over the past two decades, state appropriations and federal aid have failed to keep pace with the rising costs of college, shifting more costs to students. As a result, students take on loans they can't afford and graduate with thousands of dollars in debt. This does not include the hundreds of thousands in debt incurred for college degrees or professional titles. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Debt is a real burden. Heavy student loan debt comes with negative consequences for borrowers, who must make monthly payments with their hard-earned money rather than save and get ahead. High debt can affect where graduates live, the type of career they pursue, when they start a family or buy a home, and whether they can save for retirement. The combination of high student debt and low earnings can lead to default, credit ruin, and wage garnishment. Such discomfort defeats the purpose of higher education, and the cumulative effect is corrosive. Now there are ways to make college more accessible. One way to increase college affordability is to make sure students complete their degrees and do so quickly. Today, the country spends enormous amounts of money on the education of students who ultimately drop out before graduation. Shockingly, only 60% of American college students seeking a degree complete their studies within six years (not even four). But abandonments are not the only problem. On average, students who complete their studies pay for more courses and credits than are required for their diploma or certificate. This is a waste of resources for both students and the governments that subsidize their tuition. Real-world learning happens outside the classroom and should be recognized. It can also shorten the time it takes to complete a degree. Veterans may be the biggest immediate beneficiaries of this common-sense approach. Today there are doctors and mechanics who have acquired skills on the battlefield, but cannot find work at home as a paramedic or mechanic because they do not have a diploma or certificate to demonstrate what they know. Universities must recognize the academic value of such prior work. College-level work can and does start early. More and more students are getting a jump on their first year of college by taking Advanced Placement (AP) in high school. Taking college courses early can help students prepare for the rigors of college and save more than a semester's tuition. But not all schools offer AP courses. And for some high school students, taking classes at a local community college isn't an option. Today, online courses can allow students to take AP classes after school or even during the summer. Low-income students should check for AP test fee waivers. Careful planning and a willingness to take on an additional challenge can save students time and money. Addressing the inflated costs of text is a solution that can be implemented today. The typical college student spends $1,200 on textbooks each year. In colleges.