Question

Describe the opportunity cost of attending a four-year college (assuming a full-time schedule, living on-campus). Given these opportunity costs, why do people choose a four-year college experience.

Answer 1

Opportunity Cost refers to loss of potential gain which could've resulted from other non chosen alternatives when one opts for an alternative. It's also defined as the next best alternative.

The Opportunity Cost of attending a 4 year college with full time schedule & living on campus would be the foregone income another student earns who works in an organization for those same number of hours for the same duration of 4 years and also the fees paid for those 4 years at the college which if would've been banked or invested would've yielded a return.

The reason for choosing a four year college experience over above mentioned alternatives could be the in the form of expected higher income once an individual avails a degree.