The cost of college has significantly outpaced inflation since the early 1970s. Nationally, the cost of college tuition has quadrupled since 1980. As you can imagine, and may well know firsthand, paying for a college education (not to mention two or three of them) can be a tremendous strain on a family’s finances. The problem is that we realize how important college is to our kids’ futures. Many of us consider college to be a necessity, not a luxury or an option. Census Bureau data points out a clear link between education level and finances. Both male and female college graduates earn significantly more than high school graduates, and it’s been shown that income rises faster among people who have higher education. So how does the average family find the cash to send its kids to college, and still meet all its other expenses? If you’ve become extremely discouraged from reading the first part of this chapter, cheer up. Not all colleges are nudging at the $30,000 a year or over mark. There are still some educational bargains out there. Community colleges come at a much lower cost—averaging roughly $3,000 a year. State-owned colleges and universities generally are affordable for state residents. And many schools offer financial aid to deserving students. Even if you find a bargain, however, you’ll face significant expenses. In addition to tuition, room, and meals, there are costs for books, fees, and transportation. Add to that the cost of phone cards, a microwave, computer, and one of those little refrigerators for the dorm room, and you’ve got yourself a bill that may look to you like the national debt. So how do we go about paying for college? Let’s have a look.
