College is increasingly unaffordable for everyone that is not independently wealthy, outpacing inflation every year since the early 1970s. This year the average cost of tuition at a private, four-year university is more than $31, 000 per year. In 1971, tuition cost less than $2, 000, even after adjusting for inflation. The trend is similar at public, four-year institutions. Fortunately, with the advent of the Internet, independent learning is easier than ever before. Students can learn hard skills online for relatively minimal costs, like coding and web design. Online courses can also replicate a traditional college education, with options such as math, science, and liberal arts courses. As a result, high school students would be wise to weigh their options before choosing to attend a traditional four-y ear college. Which one of the following strengthens the argument? ['The independently wealthy should still attend traditional college programs.', 'Students who do not attend traditional college miss out on important life experiences.', 'Employers increasingly value work experience and self-starters more than formal education.', 'The government should have capped tuition at traditional four-year colleges.']