Big.
This is the big that’s all but consumed our family these last few weeks…
The sticker price of my daughter’s first choice college.
And this doesn’t reflect the 6.5% increase they expect next year.
Nor is it even the most expensive school.
I always thought a house was the biggest purchase a person ever made.
But the cost of four years of college is now bigger than my house’s mortgage.
Not only is this big, it just seems wrong.
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Wow! When did education become so expensive!
Sometime between when I graduated in 1987 and now! It’s totally ridiculous. State university here we come!!!
I agree – educating your child should not cost so much!
It’s just sorta ridiculous.
Yikes!
You got that right!!!
How do the State U costs compare?
HUGE difference, well at least if you are in state. Out of state, not much different. We sat down with her and discussed how we just can’t rationalize THAT much money. I mean, really. It broke her heart as well as mine. She will go ahead and apply as it is her dream school and we will see what kind of scholarship package she might get but we are not taking on that kind of debt. She has already gotten into our flagship state U with at least a full tuition scholarship. Time will tell where she ends up.
What do colleges cost in China? And are they accessible to the majority of families?
Families have to pay for high school in China. Given that so many families are poor, it is a huge burden. I taught in a rural high school, and what frequently happens is that parents leave the village when the child (usually ‘child’, as there is a One Child Policy here – and there can be severe punishments for having more than one child) is young, leave it with the grandparents, and then move to a large metropolis to work in a factory or other unsavoury place, and send money home. Some kids, of course, can’t go to high school, and must work for the family. The high schools can offer a little financial support to some students.
Costs to go to university are high. A local and poor-quality university might cost about $800 US/year in tuition only. A 25-year veteran high school teacher I worked with made about $340/month.
Trying to get to university is an interesting and highly stressful process. There is a grueling set of entrance exams that all student spend their entire final year of high school studying for. It is the goal of most families to send the one child to university. The reality is that many students don’t or can’t go. My former students, many of whom I keep in touch with, just finished high school this year, and there was a lot of depression and anxiety while they were writing the tests and waiting for the results. Some kids passed and got into a decent school, some kids didn’t pass and will have to find a job, some kids passed, but didn’t get into a good school, and some kids passed, but just can’t afford to go to school. The sad thing is that even with all the pressure to go to university, there are not many jobs when they come out (over 30% unemployment rate). Graduates typically earn less than migrant workers. Dreams based on lies.
Interestingly, China is in big trouble unless drastic measures are taken. An enforced One Child Policy for years coupled with high unemployment and a massive aging population is going to be disastrous. Parents have only had to take care of one child, but that child will have to take care of 4 old people (including the in-laws) who typically move in with and live off of the children.
North America has it pretty easy compared with this country.
Wow! Thank you so much for such an interesting reply to my questions! Again, wow! See, what you have written, what you have taught me and shared with me is so valuable. It helps me to step away from my life, my little piece of the world and try, just a bit, to see life as it is for someone else. When I can do this, the perspective it brings is powerful and healing. It rights me, balances me, if you will. The world, in all its many variations, is a fascinating place. Thank you for sharing your part of the world!
It’s pretty hard to argue with a full tuition scholarship.
I recommend that you do follow through with applying to her dream school and seeing what kind of scholarship/financial aid package is offered.
Our kids all stayed in town for college, which meant they didn’t live at school . Room and board runs about $7,000 no matter where we looked. My oldest daughter went to the local community college for her Associates, then we suggested she apply to a local business college to see what kind of financial aid package they offered. It was better than the local state university. For our two younger children, one of the local private christian colleges gave them a better deal than the local state university, plus, the local state university charged extra for many services that came with the cost of college, such as advisers and orientation. They both were valedictorians at a smaller high school. With student loans, scholarships (school based, state based, and private), they were able to cobble together enough to go to a private college.
It’s been a crazy process and not nearly as exciting as we thought it would be.
But yes, she is definitely applying to her dream school, we would be remiss if she didn’t, for I am finding out the sticker price is usually not the price you end up paying. More craziness! Thank you for your good advice and thoughts, I appreciate them. As I have told myself a multitude of times this past month, everything will work out and she will end up where she is supposed to be.
You have done well and I enjoy reading about your son and daughter’s stories of independence. They give me hope!
Thanks for stopping by Ann!
you have been trusted with any amount, because you will be able to face it. choose happy now.
You are absolutely right. Happiness new!
Nice post for this week theme big
Why thank you.
I like that you brought it to our attention, not that it’s your reality. That part gets a big unlike.
Thanks Jeni! A big unlike indeed. But I know in the end it will turn out to be like-worthy!
Woohoo!! that’s BIG!!!
Yes, indeed. It is the equivalent of a skyscraper in my financial landscape!
Wow, that’s big! I can’t imagine how big the tuition fee is when my 3-year old goes to college. I really need to start saving up for that. Like, now!
Uhm, yeah, sadly I am thinking that would be a good idea!
Good grief though, I just can’t imagine the increase in price continuing as it has.
It is frightening… and I have two in college now. Imagine the cost. Phew!
Sadly I can imagine the cost better than even a month ago! I hope the end is in sight. Do you need a care package????
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Wow, that price tag is BIG!
What counts is the way she spends her time – a smart, motivated person with access to information can learn under any conditions and succeed. If she was bright enough to get in to a top school, then she’s probably bright enough to overcome disadvantages of going to a university with less status. It is a crying shame that these kids are faced with a huge mortgage on thier education never mind the desire to own a home.
You are absolutely right and she will make the most of wherever she ends up because that’s the kind of young woman she is. And as far as taking on debt to go to college, we won’t, nor will we let her. I simply cannot justify $100,000 in loans, not for college. As you point out, there are definitely other ways and we will pursue those with fervor. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comment.
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