Don't Blame Colleges

[Anonymous]

My kid goes to one of the most expensive colleges in the US that would normally cost $80k. No aid. Just paid first semester bill — $29k.

[Anonymous]

That makes sense. For two semesters, you will pay almost 60K.

Room and board at my kids school is 12 or 13K.

Her school also removed SOME fees also (such as health center). I was surprised they kept on things like lab supplies (since she will be learning from home) but decided not to argue the details since schools are in such distress at this point, financially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am probably paying double that.

My kid goes to a 2nd (3rd?) tier SLAC, and has a half tuition scholarship.

She is getting a good education though (up to now), we can afford it, and I am just glad that she will be safe.

I’m the $5k pp. My kid goes to 3rd (4th?) tier lac that most DCUM folks would sneer at. Next semester bill for in-person will be $8k or $9k and then up to $11k by senior year.

[Anonymous]

My kid’s semester bill is really low, too. $5,200. Disappointed she won’t be able to be on campus this semester, but we’ll keep that extra $6k in her 529 and she can have it when she graduates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:can we blame colleges for still charging the same 70k for virtual? I remember lots of beautiful lawns and intersections with professors and world class facilities being selling points- those seem absent this year

Which college costs $70k for virtual learning?

A lot of colleges are 70k/ year. Likely 50k/ year without housing for virtual.

But many are still paying housing since they are off campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid’s semester bill is really low, too. $5,200. Disappointed she won’t be able to be on campus this semester, but we’ll keep that extra $6k in her 529 and she can have it when she graduates.

I know. I am a tiny bit worried that we withdrew more from 529 than we will now need. BUT, I will keep track of the extra, and be sure it gets applied to Spring semester expenses.

[Anonymous]

can we blame colleges for still charging the same 70k for virtual? I remember lots of beautiful lawns and intersections with professors and world class facilities being selling points- those seem absent this year

I just paid $6200 for tuition and I'm paying $420/month for rent. DC's university also has lawns and professors. He has some in-person (one on one and small group) classes as an arts student so he may even see a professor or two.

But to get back on topic, I do not blame the college for having many online classes and I won't blame the college for not being able to manage the health of 20,000 students when everything goes downhill by October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:can we blame colleges for still charging the same 70k for virtual? I remember lots of beautiful lawns and intersections with professors and world class facilities being selling points- those seem absent this year

Which college costs $70k for virtual learning?

A lot of colleges are 70k/ year. Likely 50k/ year without housing for virtual.

But many are still paying housing since they are off campus.

For some, leases were signed years ago, for others, that is by choice.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only chump who is paying 80k. Kid got into a top ivy. Felt bad saying no way. We can afford it but it is very tight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only chump who is paying 80k. Kid got into a top ivy. Felt bad saying no way. We can afford it but it is very tight.

Are you suggesting that people who get FA are gaming the system somehow?

[Anonymous]

Am I the only chump who is paying 80k. Kid got into a top ivy. Felt bad saying no way. We can afford it but it is very tight.

The vast majority of people, even on DCUM, don't have a kid at a "top Ivy" or any Ivy. If an Ivy wanted my lazy son with his sub-4.0 GPA for some reason, I'm sure they would have been happy to charge me $80K. As it is, he is at a VA public with tuition in the $12K range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only chump who is paying 80k. Kid got into a top ivy. Felt bad saying no way. We can afford it but it is very tight.

If you can afford it, you have a lot more income than the person paying half that with aid (not dollar for dollar, at least two dollars for every dollar). Given that, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be worth 80K to you if it’s worth scrimping to someone with less. After all you’re the one who glibly rounds up. I’ve yet to see an actual cost of attendance be 80K and even the 70K numbers include incidentals not paid to the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only chump who is paying 80k. Kid got into a top ivy. Felt bad saying no way. We can afford it but it is very tight.

If you can afford it, you have a lot more income than the person paying half that with aid (not dollar for dollar, at least two dollars for every dollar). Given that, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be worth 80K to you if it’s worth scrimping to someone with less. After all you’re the one who glibly rounds up. I’ve yet to see an actual cost of attendance be 80K and even the 70K numbers include incidentals not paid to the school.

A lot of kids have already signed leases. Plus there are plenty of donut hole families that make good money, but only in the last few years but 80k is still a huge burden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only chump who is paying 80k. Kid got into a top ivy. Felt bad saying no way. We can afford it but it is very tight.

If you can afford it, you have a lot more income than the person paying half that with aid (not dollar for dollar, at least two dollars for every dollar). Given that, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be worth 80K to you if it’s worth scrimping to someone with less. After all you’re the one who glibly rounds up. I’ve yet to see an actual cost of attendance be 80K and even the 70K numbers include incidentals not paid to the school.

A lot of kids have already signed leases. Plus there are plenty of donut hole families that make good money, but only in the last few years but 80k is still a huge burden.

Give me a break. If you can afford $80k/yr, you can afford it. $30k/yr is a burden to many families too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:can we blame colleges for still charging the same 70k for virtual? I remember lots of beautiful lawns and intersections with professors and world class facilities being selling points- those seem absent this year

My kid is staying home this semester. The bill is $5k.

Same, maybe more like $6K.

Also in that range for the semester. Two classes online, two on campus and one hybrid. Out of state state school, living off campus.