Reply #9: Even "inexpensive" [View All]

[SheilaT]

state schools can be shockingly expensive. And note that it's the room and board that's the big killer.

The essential cause here is that over the years states have put more and more of the burden of the cost of education directly on the students themselves.

Recently I tried to explain to my 21 year old son that back when I first started college, the cost of tuition, books, and fees at many state universities were low enough that a typical summer job that a young person could get in those days (mid-60's) could easily pay those costs. Room and board might be another matter. He literally did not believe me. Just look at those numbers again, and even assume the student lives at home, so it's only(only!) about $4500, not including books and any lab or studio fees.

And while I am constantly advocating students start out living at home and attending the local junior college rather than take on loans to go anywhere else to school, I do realize that not every single recent high school grad lives within easy commuting distance of a community college, so attending school somewhere, even a relatively low cost state school, and living in the dorm is the only option, which means the room and board cost is unavoidable.