In a time when the average American worker earns $42,000 a year – if they’re lucky enough to be employed – tuition at 123 colleges and universities has passed the $50,000 mark.
The Chronicle of Higher Education has found that the number of schools passing the annual amount of $50,000 for tuition, fees, room and board has more than doubled for the 2011-2012 school year from 2009-2010, when the figure was only 58. The top five schools are Sarah Lawrence College ($59,170), Landmark College ($57,330), New York University ($56,787), Columbia University School of General Studies ($56,310), and Harvey Mudd College ($56,268).
Unless you’ve been awarded some major scholarships or grants, the average student simply can’t afford a tuition that expensive. Four years at Sarah Lawrence, assuming tuition doesn’t increase next year, will cost a whopping $236,680. To further put that number into perspective, home buyers in the Midwest can purchase a home for a median price of $141,700, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The schools that cost over $50,000 are all private institutions, but public universities aren’t immune to the tuition hikes either. CNN Money reports that California State University, for instance, costs 21 percent more than last year, coming in at just over $9,000 per year.
Truly, the best bargains in the college world can be found at community and junior colleges. The cost of room and board is usually non-existent, since these tend to be commuter schools that allow students to live at home with mom and dad, and the total annual cost, including tuition and fees, averages only $2,700 per year.
There are other benefits to attending community college, other than the bargain pricing. Community college caters to students who are also interested in maintaining a part-time job, as it can be easy to take a full-time course load at school that allows you to be on campus for only two or three days per week. Community college also provides a low-pressure environment for fulfilling general education requirements that will transfer to a four-year university while also having the luxury of keeping your major undeclared while you decide what kind of career you’d ultimately like to embark on. Community college is also a good gateway for those who want to ease into the college experience while still residing in their hometown near family, friends, and familiar surroundings.
For the average American student from the average American family community college makes a lot of sense. At bargain pricing and the offering of all the general education course required for a degree, it’s oftentimes the best option for incoming freshmen, and one that should never be overlooked.
Sources:
CNN Money, Blake Ellis, More college tuition rising to $50,000 a year.
Radio Boston ,Anthony Brooks,Students tackle high college costs by starting at a community college.