The Ideal (and Likely) Future of Universities

1) The world continues to question the value of the college degree. Every media outlet has a “Is going to college worth it?” story. 

2) More and more alternatives to traditional learning appear. It becomes clear that one thing will kill college: the internet. Kahn Academy, online coding programs, and Praxis are just the beginning. Academics argue like valiant crusaders for the value of universities.

3) Universities try to keep up with the learn-by-doing philosophy by inventing classes that are “more hands-on.” More and more students opt to get the same knowledge for free, online. Companies stop requiring college degrees on job applications and look instead for portfolio projects. 

4) Apprenticeship-based programs are created for the medical and law fields. Free online programs emerge and effectively teach even the most complex skills. Society at large recognizes the legitimacy of the new way of learning. 

5) The internet is the abundant source of free and accessible knowledge for anyone who wishes to access it. Businesses create new methods for finding valuable employees. Universities close their doors and campuses are repurposed in entirely new ways. All information once in college classes is available to everyone at no charge. Education is free.