Dr. James Ramsey President, University of Louisville
Consumer Behavior: The Case of Higher Education
Economists distinguish between consumption goods and investment goods. A lay
definition of a consumption good is a good that is "used up" when it has been
consumed -- the hamburger we buy and eat at McDonald's; the gas we put in our
car. When it's gone, it's gone.
In contrast, an investment good is a good that we consume and derive "utility" from
on multiple occasions over time; i.e., our home, our automobiles, even the latest
laptop or iPhone -- we purchase the good today but it has a useful life of a few or
even many years.
Education, and specifically higher education, has characteristics of being a
consumption good and an investment good. When I decide to attend the local
university, I am purchasing an investment good -- I am spending a lot of money.
The education I receive over time will pay dividends and provide financial benefits
to me for many years into the future
At the same time, while we are purchasing higher education, there are consumption
"benefits" that accrue to us -- the joy of an outstanding lecture, the thrill of
watching our basketball team beat our archrival, a night of partying after a midterm exam,the individual we meet who later becomes our spouse, providing us
years and years of happiness.
Economic literature on human capital also makes a strong case that the
consumption of higher education by one individual increases the utility of others in
society.
If as a result of my obtaining a college degree I earn more income throughout my
lifetime, I will pay more in state, local and federal income taxes that can be used to
provide health care, shelter, and parks to a broader population, hence increasing the
utility of those consumers.
If as a result of my acquisition of a college degree I follow a healthy lifestyle, I am,
in a sense, reducing health insurance costs, not just for me, but for society.
If I gain a skill set from my higher education that ensures me a higher probability of
being employed and thus have less need for public assistance, society in general is
better off.
Higher education is a consumption good with benefits, not only to the consumer but
society as a whole and, perhaps more importantly for the individual consumer, it's
an investment with a great rat
Dr. James Ramsey President, University of Louisville
Consumer Behavior: The Case of Higher Education
Economists distinguish between consumption goods and investment goods. A lay
definition of a consumption good is a good that is "used up" when it has been
consumed -- the hamburger we buy and eat at McDonald's; the gas we put in our
car. When it's gone, it's gone.
In contrast, an investment good is a good that we consume and derive "utility" from
on multiple occasions over time; i.e., our home, our automobiles, even the latest
laptop or iPhone -- we purchase the good today but it has a useful life of a few or
even many years.
Education, and specifically higher education, has characteristics of being a
consumption good and an investment good. When I decide to attend the local
university, I am purchasing an investment good -- I am spending a lot of money.
The education I receive over time will pay dividends and provide financial benefits
to me for many years into the future
At the same time, while we are purchasing higher education, there are consumption
"benefits" that accrue to us -- the joy of an outstanding lecture, the thrill of
watching our basketball team beat our archrival, a night of partying after a midterm exam,the individual we meet who later becomes our spouse, providing us
years and years of happiness.
Economic literature on human capital also makes a strong case that the
consumption of higher education by one individual increases the utility of others in
society.
If as a result of my obtaining a college degree I earn more income throughout my
lifetime, I will pay more in state, local and federal income taxes that can be used to
provide health care, shelter, and parks to a broader population, hence increasing the
utility of those consumers.
If as a result of my acquisition of a college degree I follow a healthy lifestyle, I am,
in a sense, reducing health insurance costs, not just for me, but for society.
If I gain a skill set from my higher education that ensures me a higher probability of
being employed and thus have less need for public assistance, society in general is
better off.
Higher education is a consumption good with benefits, not only to the consumer but
society as a whole and, perhaps more importantly for the individual consumer, it's
an investment with a great rat
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