NYT: Public University Tuition Is Up Sharply for 2004

[DeepModem Mom]

Public University Tuition Is Up Sharply for 2004
By GREG WINTER

Published: October 20, 2004


Tuition at the nation's public universities rose an average of 10.5 percent this year, the second largest increase in more than a decade, according to the latest annual survey by the College Board. Last year's rise, 13 percent, was the highest....

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The survey of nearly 2,700 colleges and universities, released yesterday, did not try to determine the reasons for the steep increases. But among the many factors cited by its authors and other higher education experts were shrinking endowments, large increases in health insurance costs for campus employees and anemic spending on higher education by states....

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Despite the increases, the survey found, students are not necessarily paying all the extra costs. Financial aid has been increasing as well, and though it has not always kept pace with rising tuition, it has often softened the blow.

As of last year, for example, the impact of grants and federal tax credits meant that students at private colleges actually paid an average of $9,600 a year in tuition and fees, about $1,000 more than they did a decade earlier, after adjusting for inflation, the survey found. At public universities, students ended up paying only $1,300 a year in tuition, about $200 less than they did a decade before, with adjustments for inflation. And at community colleges, grants and tax credits took care of the typical student's entire tuition.

The authors said, however, that this year's increases in tuition were so large that they did not expect grants to keep up. Students are also becoming increasingly dependent on loans instead of grants, according to the College Board, an association of more than 4,500 schools, colleges and educational organizations. About a decade ago, there was almost as much grant money available to students as there were loans. But by last year, loans had become a much bigger piece of the financial aid puzzle, making up almost 50 percent more of the total pool than grants....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/education/20college.html

[David__77]

1. Mine went up 25%.

I would favor a sliding-scale tuition system. The more resources the student has access to, the more tuition is paid. It's a reasonable alternative to flat rate increases. Ideally, of course, higher education would be free of monetary charge. Instead, perhaps, a student could make certain employment commitments for the public sector.

[alarimer]

2. I don't know the percentage

But at Texas A&M, where I am a part time grad student, tuition is $170 per credit hour. Usually I take one class, which amounts to close to $900 for THREE hours because they really kill you with fees. I am almost done then I can start looking for a real job.

[David__77]

3. I admit I am lucky at California State University.

Even with the series of steep increases, I will only be paying $1,600 for full-time graduate level fees for a semester. Undergraduates are a couple of hundred less. Of course, I would prefer when it is was only $1,000. Two more semesters (hopefully).

[AP]

8. I think we shouldn't have to pay tuition when we're in college.

You should have to pay only up to, say, 10% of your income and only if you make above the median income, and there should be no loans. You just pay until you pay off the tuition.

That's the way they do it in the UK now thanks to Labour.

[durablend]

4. Blah...they can go to "community college" if they can't afford it

It's the answer to everything according to Bubble Boy.

[GRLMGC]

10. Great option

Considering the prices have risen for CCs too and they have cut so many classes that you may not even get a spot in the class. Its like in Ca anyway.

[lovuian]

5. Bottomline Higher education is getting too Expensive

what will be the double whammy is when they get out with huge loans will they have a job to pay them off!!!

[shrike]

6. You got that right

My in-state tuition for senior year at Michigan was $1,200, both semesters. Since I had cheap digs the entire year cost me about $2,000, plus books.

I'm planning on helping my sister put her three kids through college -- she won't be able to do it unless she gets serious help.

[AP]

7. Like the article says, education is all about DEBT now.

People are forced to finance a bigger part of their education, and then you're on the hook with insupportable debt for the rest of your life.

That's sort of the motto of Ameircan these days. Find out which people have money, then hook up a vaccuum hose to that person's pocket.

Poor people don't have money in their pockets. OK. Give them tax credits and grants. The middle class do have a little money. OK. Jack up tuition. Make them take out ridiculous student loans. Who cares if there aren't any jobs at the other end of the tunnel. At least the banks get their guarranteed profits.

[Anakin Skywalker]

9. Bush Economy's McJobs Will Pay Tuition!

No worries! "The economy is stroooooong" says Bush & Co. every damn f***ing day!