Along with public and private school expenses rising exponentially, the average hourly wage has decreased by 18 percent, according to the Labor Department National Center for Education Statistics. Also, less college students have been able to maintain both school priorities and a part-time job on the same plate at once.

The Wall Street Journal reports that since 1985, only 43.9 percent of students were working either full time or part time while enrolled in school. In 2000, that number was 56 percent, and the trend continues to decrease.

It has also been noted that the class of 2014 “is the most indebted ever with an average of $33,000 in student loans.” Wow. One must either win the lottery or begin to earn a great amount of income after graduation if they want to eliminate that five-digit number from their worries.

As if working hard to earn a college degree is not challenging enough, the load never seems to diminish as interest rates continue to shake the change out of students’ pockets.

It looks like Starbucks’ generous offer, which will help college students obtain a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University with a tuition reimbursement program for its employees who work a weekly minimum of 20 hours, is coming at a good time.