The value of a UWM student’s education — on the four-year plan — is $31,230. At Marquette, students on the four-year plan pay $108,824 for the same piece of paper.

Some students put in the effort to attend class, do assigned readings and homework and maximize their education. Other students adopt the philosophy that “C’s get degrees,” rarely — if ever — attending class and doing what it takes to scrape by.

On the surface, the value of a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student’s education — on the four-year plan — is $31,230. Students are in effect paying for a piece of paper with the UWM logo on it that attests to completed coursework for a given major. That paper doesn’t certify that the student actually learned what the coursework intended him or her to learn, only that a minimal level of comprehension was attained to receive it.

At Marquette, students on the four-year plan pay $108,824 for the same piece of paper.

The largest alleged difference between the degrees is a Marquette insignia laden with arrogance and an “I’m better than you” mentality or the seemingly worth-less UWM insignia.

The sheer naivety and shallowness that poisons the true value of an education are revolting, especially in juxtaposition to an alleged “prestige.”

The value of an education is not in the dollars spent on it, it’s in the students who take part in the process.

Marquette is listed 85 in the U.S. News rankings of America’s Best Colleges. Thirty-eight percent of the private institution’s class of 2008 ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school’s graduating class. UWM, in the same report, ranks at the bottom in the fourth tier. An embarrassing 7 percent of freshmen at UWM come from the top 10 percent of their high school class.

The “prestige” that Marquette apparently has is in dollars. Look at the two Milwaukee universities’ endowments: Marquette, almost $246 million; UWM, less than $7.5 million.

But that doesn't mean that Marquette students — or graduates — are any more intelligent or capable than those of UWM. (In my opinion, the decision to spend four times the amount of money you need to on a piece of paper is pretty stupid.) It’s the skills you bring to your job that matter.

I’d venture to say most students at Marquette have Mommy and Daddy footing their bills. This gives them ample time to be one of the “C’s get degrees” students and drink and slack as much as possible. Studies have shown that generally students who work perform better academically.

Marquette is no more a status symbol or significant entity than the money that's donated to it. Does it have the ability to pay its faculty better? Most likely. Does that mean its faculty is superior? Doubtful. An education is what you make of it.

I lack the understanding as to why a degree with Marquette's arrogant insignia on it is worth anything more than UWM’s. Especially for those students who work multiple jobs, are heavily involved in school activities and attend class daily to maximize their educational experience. What is the difference in value for students whose parents are wealthy enough to pay for school for them, to the point they need not work or do anything really except attend class once in a while. The same goes for UWM students hailing from richer communities.

That’s not to say that all students at Marquette or who hail from richer communities are downright spoiled brats who don't — and probably never will — understand the value of a dollar (or $1,000) or hard work. But the overwhelming number who don’t sicken me.

I try to wipe the disgust from my face and ignore the putrid feelings I experience when I’m asked what year I am at Marquette, a question that presupposes I must be a Marquette student because I’m well-spoken. Rage fills me when I’m asked what school I attend and a look of pity spreads over the questioner’s face when I reply “UWM.”

I will not apologize for being a student of UWM. My education is what I make of it, no matter where I attend.

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