A generalized modeling approach to determining environmental costs of education

It is generally agreed that the cost of an educational program includes elements other than instruction. Using medical education as a case study, the author begins this article by outlining the historical reasons for determining the costs of the educational program leading to the M.D. degree. Attention is then focused on the modeling approach taken by the Association of American Medical College for the determination of environmental costs of education. Finally, a generalized model is proposed which would make this methodology applicable to other educational environments.