Kitchen Table College Chats

Gary Stocker, Marc Deboer
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We all know that choosing a college is one of the biggest investments your family will ever make, but it doesn't have to be the most stressful. Each and every episode, we pull up a virtual chair to cut through the jargon and tackle the real-world questions about admissions and finances and even the financial health and viability of colleges.

  1. 1d ago

    College Closures Hurt Before They Happen on the Kitchen Table College Chats

    This episode of Kitchen Table College Chat examines how financially struggling colleges can harm students long before they officially close. Gary Stocker and Marc DeBoer argue that college leaders often know about serious financial problems months or even years before families hear about them. During that period, students may experience fewer course sections, reduced upper-level classes, larger class sizes, faculty and staff departures, program cuts, outdated technology, and deteriorating campus facilities.  The hosts emphasize that these warning signs can disrupt a student’s education, delay graduation, and reduce the quality of the college experience even when the institution’s doors remain open. Gary and Marc encourage families to look beyond polished campus tours and reassuring marketing messages. They recommend examining graduation rates, financial results, endowment strength, deferred maintenance, borrowing, rumors of layoffs or program reductions, and whether a college is adding unusual sports programs primarily to increase enrollment. Their central message is that families need independent information because colleges have strong incentives to present themselves positively even when they are under financial pressure. The episode concludes with Gary introducing the upcoming My College Decision Lens, designed to match a family’s priorities with college outcome and financial data, and announcing that the podcast will begin livestreaming on September 3.

    College Closures Hurt Before They Happen on the Kitchen Table College Chats

  2. Jul 29

    We admit everybody. That's why we have low graduation rates on Kitchen Table College Chats

    This episode of Kitchen Table College Chat tackles one of the most controversial issues in higher education: Should colleges that "admit everyone" be held accountable for low graduation rates?  Gary Stocker and Marc DeBoer challenge the common argument that open admissions naturally lead to poor student outcomes, arguing that access to college should not be confused with success in college. They discuss whether colleges have a responsibility to graduate the students they enroll or whether the burden rests entirely on the student. Gary made the case that institutions accepting tuition from students who are not academically or financially prepared—without providing a realistic path to graduation—creates what he describes as a "predatory revenue model." Marc countered by presenting the college perspective, arguing that institutions provide advising, tutoring, and other support services, but students must ultimately choose to use them.  The conversation then shifts to practical advice for families evaluating colleges. Gary and Marc emphasize that four-year graduation rates and first-year retention rates are two of the strongest indicators of whether a college is fulfilling its educational mission. Rather than relying on marketing messages or broad claims about opportunity, they encourage parents and students to compare colleges based on measurable outcomes, arguing that institutions with stronger graduation and retention rates generally have better systems to support student success. They also discuss the long-term consequences of low graduation rates, including increased student debt, delayed careers, and the financial pressures colleges face when they continually recruit replacement students to offset those who leave. The episode concludes by announcing the launch of a live-stream version of the podcast, where listeners will be able to ask questions and engage directly with the hosts.

    We admit everybody. That's why we have low graduation rates on Kitchen Table College Chats

  3. Jul 17

    How tuition discounting works and why it is a warning sign on Kitchen Table College Chat

    Marc and Gary talk through what is actually going on when colleges discount tuition.  Spoiler alert:  It's not actually money the college is using to subsidize a student's tuition. It is simply the same type of discount you get for cars, computers, camera's.  It is a similar business model to the Kohl's retail stores.  They discount their clothes to generate cash to keep their business running.   Colleges can't do that because the revenue from tuition is only sporadic (2-4 times per year)

    How tuition discounting works and why it is a warning sign on Kitchen Table College Chat

  4. Jul 17

    When cheaper colleges are actually a bad choice at Kitchen Table College Chats.

    Colleges are almost annually increasing their tuition discounts (they call them 'scholarships') In this week's podcast show, Marc and Gary discuss why those discounts are not necessarily a good thing for the college - and ultimately for the student. For example, if a college doesn't have the financial resources to offer a course section in your student's major, that could delay graduation by a semester or even a year.  We also talked about the opportunity cost associated with not graduating in 4 years associated with those delays.

    When cheaper colleges are actually a bad choice at Kitchen Table College Chats.

  5. Jul 2

    Topic: Your major was just cut. at Kitchen Table College Chats

    It happens weekly and it happens without notice.  Marc and Gary talk about the history of program cuts and what you can do to lower the risk or move on if it happens.

    Topic: Your major was just cut. at Kitchen Table College Chats

  6. Jun 22

    Tuition Does Not Equal Costs on the Kitchen Table College Chat for June 18, 2026 ...

    What does college really cost? In this episode of Kitchen Table College Chat, Gary Stocker and Marc DeBoer challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in higher education: tuition is not the same as cost. They unpack how private colleges routinely discount tuition by more than 50%, why sticker prices often have little connection to what families actually pay, and how fees, room and board, books, and other expenses can dramatically increase the true cost of a college education. The conversation also explores what parts of a college bill are negotiable, how families can approach financial aid discussions, and why colleges increasingly rely on fees to generate revenue.  Gary and Marc also tackle the hidden costs that many families overlook, including changing majors, taking longer than four years to graduate, and the opportunity cost of delayed entry into the workforce. They discuss the growing financial pressures facing private colleges, the shift of students toward public universities and larger brand-name institutions, and the long-term implications for smaller colleges struggling to attract students. Whether you're a parent, student, grandparent, or counselor, this episode provides practical insights to help you look beyond the tuition number and make a more informed college decision.

    Tuition Does Not Equal Costs on the Kitchen Table College Chat for June 18, 2026 ...

  7. Jun 15

    AI for the high school student on the Kitchen Table College Chat 061126

    In this episode of Kitchen Table College Chat, Gary Stocker and Marc DeBoer take opposing viewpoints on one of the biggest questions facing education today: Should high school students embrace artificial intelligence? Framing the discussion as a debate between an AI skeptic and an AI advocate, they explore whether AI is primarily a learning tool or a shortcut that discourages critical thinking. Gary argues that students need to develop their own reasoning skills before relying on technology, warning that overdependence on AI could weaken creativity, individuality, and the ability to solve problems independently. Marc counters that AI is as transformative and inevitable as the calculator or the internet, arguing that students who learn to use it effectively will gain a significant advantage in college and future careers.  The conversation expands to examine how AI may reshape college admissions, essay writing, workforce preparation, and the future role of higher education itself. The hosts discuss whether colleges should disclose their use of AI in admissions decisions, how students can use AI ethically for brainstorming and studying, and whether schools have a responsibility to teach responsible AI use rather than resist it. While both agree that AI is here to stay, they differ sharply on its long-term impact: Marc believes students who master AI will thrive in an increasingly automated world, while Gary worries that relying on prompts instead of human judgment and experience could erode the critical thinking skills that education is meant to develop. The episode leaves listeners with a central question: in an AI-driven future, how do we balance efficiency with authentic learning?

    AI for the high school student on the Kitchen Table College Chat 061126

  8. Jun 7

    What is a good college decision? on the Kitchen Table College Chat for June 4, 2026

    This episode of Kitchen Table College Chat focuses on a central question for families: What actually makes a “good” college decision? Gary Stocker and Marc DeBoer challenge the traditional ways families evaluate colleges and argue that most students and parents focus on the wrong factors during the college search process. The episode begins with listener questions about college pricing, admissions yield, and college closures. Gary explains that many private colleges heavily discount tuition — citing a recent report showing an average first-year discount rate of 57% at private colleges — meaning families often pay far less than the published “sticker price.” The hosts encourage parents to understand the difference between list price and actual tuition fees charged. They explain the concept of admissions yield, which measures how many accepted students actually enroll. Gary argues that admissions yield reflects market confidence in a college: schools with stronger reputations and student outcomes tend to attract more students who accept their offers. Another major discussion centers on the risk of college closures. Gary emphasizes that no one can predict with certainty whether a college will close, but families should examine financial data, enrollment trends, endowment strength, and graduation rates to assess institutional stability. He frames this as part of the mission of College Viability — helping families “inspect” colleges the same way consumers inspect homes or cars before making major purchases. The core theme of the episode is redefining what “good” means in a college decision. Marc explains that most families focus on prestige, rankings, acceptance letters, and reputation when choosing a college, but after graduation they judge success very differently — based on debt levels, graduation timelines, happiness, and employment outcomes. He argues that families should reverse their priorities and focus on outcomes first, not marketing or rankings. Gary reinforces this argument by emphasizing objective data points families should track, including: Four-year graduation ratesFirst-year retention ratesEnrollment trendsEndowment strengthEndowment per studentHe argues that colleges with weak graduation or retention rates are signaling operational or financial problems that families should not ignore. The hosts also criticize college rankings systems, describing many of them as “beauty pageants” driven more by perception and marketing than meaningful student outcomes. Gary argues that rankings providers are financially connected to colleges and rarely offer truly critical evaluations of institutional risk or student success. Toward the end of the episode, the conversation broadens to the future of higher education. Gary argues that many smaller, financially challenged colleges are struggling in a declining market and cannot compete with major university brands for students. Marc adds that headline enrollment growth statistics may hide deeper challenges, especially among smaller undergraduate institutions facing demographic declines. Overall, the episode encourages families to move beyond prestige and marketing and instead evaluate colleges through the lens of outcomes, financial stability, and long-term student success.

    What is a good college decision? on the Kitchen Table College Chat for June 4, 2026
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About

We all know that choosing a college is one of the biggest investments your family will ever make, but it doesn't have to be the most stressful. Each and every episode, we pull up a virtual chair to cut through the jargon and tackle the real-world questions about admissions and finances and even the financial health and viability of colleges.

Information

  • Creator
    Gary Stocker, Marc Deboer
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © College Viability, LLC 2026
  • Show Website
    Kitchen Table College Chats