HIGHER EDUCATION BUBBLE UPDATE: Kenneth Anderson: The New Physiocrats, or, Is There Value in the Humanities? There can be, if they’re taught rigorously and seriously. That does happen.

But if you’re going to sell higher education as an “investment” — and charge the kinds of tuitions currently being charged — it almost has to produce a significant economic return to justify its existence. If, on the other hand, you’re going to sell it as a public good, then you’re going to have to demonstrate that it actually improves the general welfare.