Surprising College Tuition News
The College Board reported that college tuition isn't as expensive as we think, which I'm betting is surprising to you. It sure doesn't feel right to me (we have three kids in college), but why shouldn't we trust everything in the news these days?
According to a recent study, in-state public university tuition dropped 40% in the last decade, accounting for inflation (hmmm). And private college tuition increased by only 4%, inflation-adjusted, compared to 58% two decades ago.
What does this mean for you (families with college-bound teens?
The short answer: Maybe nothing.
Costs at competitive private universities are in the mid 90K per year range. And out-of-state public universities still charge a hefty amount to non-residents, overall.
If you're looking for merit aid or other financial aid, it's critically important to fish in the right pond. Not to rely on some academic study that contradicts common sense.
That means focusing on 1. colleges that are historically generous and 2. generous colleges that will be generous to YOUR KID.
The average tuition discount at a private college, according to a May 2024 study, was a whopping 56.1%.
What that means for you: Paying full price is a choice, not an obligation.
I'll be sharing scholarship and financial aid strategies in two separate live, local (not webinars) presentations next week, on Wednesday,January 15 and Thursday, January 16.
Here's the blurb:
You will discover tested and proven strategies and tips to help your child get into their "dream college" and how to win tens of thousands of merit scholarships, even if you think "no way do families like us ever qualify for anything!"
Details follow, click on the button for the date that works for you (seats are first-come, first-served):
- Andy "Road Show" Lockwood
P.S. Each venue is relatively small, so seats are given first-come, first-served. Register now, you can even bring along a friend while we have the space.
P.P.S. Here's a more complete run-down of questions and topics for each event:
Can your kid get into a decent college?
How does he "stack up" compared to the competition?
What specific strategies will improve chances of acceptance to his "Dream School?"
Do you make too much to qualify for scholarships or other financial aid, or can you "beat the system?"
How can she possibly stand out from 50,000 competitors who look the same on paper?
Those are just some of the questions we'll explore at your workshop. Other topics include:
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The inconvenient truth about what it takes -- beyond solid grades and near-perfect SATs, "passion projects" and other nonsense -- to get accepted to a top college today [WARNING: Not "Politically Correct"]
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Financial Aid "Loopholes" - how to legally "hide" your money from the financial aid office
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How to avoid Admissions Armageddon and build a balanced, strategic college list
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Are there any Safety Schools any more?
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Feather-ruffling facts about how college admissions officers view test-optional applications
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Extracurricular activities that "sell" verses those that bore
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How to qualify for 56.1% off the cost of college, even if you think you make too much money to have a shot at aid
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Negotiation Case Study: How a mild-mannered college advisor squeezed an additional $30,058 from a elite West Coast college...after it's so-called "Final Offer"
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The strange, counter-intuitive reason why six and seven-figure earning families have a better shot at some types of aid than lower earners
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Got a 529? Watch out. The shocking reason why that could be a fatal mistake (and how you might be able to fix things at the last minute)
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How an "expensive" private college could cost less out of pocket than a "cheaper" state university