Comment on College costs driving startups to offer alternatives

WASHINGTON — Connor Mitchell’s university classes take place online, he doesn’t have any exams and he studies in a different country every year. Is he looking into the future or taking a gamble? With college costs rising steadily and with more courses available online for free, some observers are beginning to question the need for a traditional college education that might include lectures on Greek philosophy but burden students with massive debt. Education startups are offering alternatives – from boot camps, to one- or two-year tracks, to accredited degree programs – and their founders say these options will give students a more relevant education in today’s job market, and at a lower price. But some experts caution against betting on a narrow, practical education geared toward a specific field that is in demand today but could leave them unprepared for the jobs of tomorrow.