Shouldn't an education cost less during times of economic hardship? It would seem logical to charge less when the odds of landing a job based on your investment were lower than in the past, but that's just me.
As a person who's bent on getting back into school, I find these numbers slightly intimidating.
Please read and post your thoughts...
"College tuition keeps going up and up"
by Tim Hyland
Staff of Business Week:
College tuition increased an average of $579, or 14 percent, at four-year public institutions and $1,114, or about 6 percent, at four-year private colleges during the 2003-2004 school year, according to a report released Tuesday.
Tuition and fees at four-year colleges and universities now averages $4,694 per year for an in-state student and costs per year at private colleges are now $19,710, according to the report from the College Board.
Tuition and fees at two-year public colleges increased 13.8 percent this year and now average $1,905 per year.
In the 10-year period ending in 2003-2004, the average tuition increased 47 percent -- about $1,500 -- at four-year public colleges and 42 percent -- nearly $6,000 -- at private colleges. Those 10-year increase figures are actually lower than the preceding decade, when public colleges saw increases of 54 percent and private colleges increased tuition 50 percent.
Students attending schools in the University of Maryland System, which includes Towson University, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Maryland flagship in College Park, have seen tuition rise more than 30 percent over the past two years.
Officials with the College Board said data shows tuition at public colleges rises more quickly when state funding slows or is decreased.
"Education leaders must be able to make persuasive cases to governors and legislators on the importance of reasonable and predictable levels of state support," College Board President Gaston Caperton said. "Levels of state funding have dipped to a dangerously low point in recent years. Campus leaders and their institutions of higher learning must, at all times, be deserving of public trust and public dollars."
Though tuition continues to increase rapidly, the report also found a record $105 million was distributed in financial aid in 2002-2003, an increase of $13 million from the previous year. College board officials said the increase helps the average undergraduate student pay significantly less in tuition than the published tuition figure.
As a person who's bent on getting back into school, I find these numbers slightly intimidating.
Please read and post your thoughts...
"College tuition keeps going up and up"
by Tim Hyland
Staff of Business Week:
College tuition increased an average of $579, or 14 percent, at four-year public institutions and $1,114, or about 6 percent, at four-year private colleges during the 2003-2004 school year, according to a report released Tuesday.
Tuition and fees at four-year colleges and universities now averages $4,694 per year for an in-state student and costs per year at private colleges are now $19,710, according to the report from the College Board.
Tuition and fees at two-year public colleges increased 13.8 percent this year and now average $1,905 per year.
In the 10-year period ending in 2003-2004, the average tuition increased 47 percent -- about $1,500 -- at four-year public colleges and 42 percent -- nearly $6,000 -- at private colleges. Those 10-year increase figures are actually lower than the preceding decade, when public colleges saw increases of 54 percent and private colleges increased tuition 50 percent.
Students attending schools in the University of Maryland System, which includes Towson University, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Maryland flagship in College Park, have seen tuition rise more than 30 percent over the past two years.
Officials with the College Board said data shows tuition at public colleges rises more quickly when state funding slows or is decreased.
"Education leaders must be able to make persuasive cases to governors and legislators on the importance of reasonable and predictable levels of state support," College Board President Gaston Caperton said. "Levels of state funding have dipped to a dangerously low point in recent years. Campus leaders and their institutions of higher learning must, at all times, be deserving of public trust and public dollars."
Though tuition continues to increase rapidly, the report also found a record $105 million was distributed in financial aid in 2002-2003, an increase of $13 million from the previous year. College board officials said the increase helps the average undergraduate student pay significantly less in tuition than the published tuition figure.