It's less because neither of my kids spends any money on books. Many classes don't have books (teachers arrange their own materials that are provided online) and all text books are online for free, so even if you need one it's easily obtained.

Also, my one kid's fraternity offers housing that is about 40% less than what we were paying in campus student housing, and dues are minimal.

For one kid, the travel costs in COA are overstated because they have to average those costs across all the students, and like 10% are international. One kid is a short train ride away and tickets are like nothing if you plan in advance).

Yes. We're not American. When we moved here, my aunt said we needed to save for college as soon as our kids were born. We invested in the stock market and are now paying for college out of those stocks. The annual cost is the bill, which is in line with what the website said they applied, minus merit aid, plus a very reasonable sum for daily expenses. Our kids are not spendthrifts.

Now, separately, am I flabbergasted that this is the price for 4 years of education? Yes! It's not worth that much. But this is where we are.

Anonymous wrote:Also, at some schools, off campus housing can really save money and at others, it increases the cost, so again, talk to your kid about what you are willing to pay.

This. One kid, who graduated this year, lived off campus for three years and expenses were what mostly what we expected. Other kid went to a school in a city where off-campus housing and other expenses (food, etc.) greatly exceeded on campus costs. Doable and also lucky our kid found something on the more reasonable end of the spectrum but again, luck.

Our kids, including our high school senior always knew what we were able to pay for upfront. What surprised me most was how cheap books are compared to when I was in college but also how expensive it cost to get our kid ready to start school. Laptop, dorm stuff, etc.

Also, at some schools, off campus housing can really save money and at others, it increases the cost, so again, talk to your kid about what you are willing to pay.

I have one in college and one that graduated recently - was mostly expected. Its important to have talk with your kids about wht you will and won't pay for --- kids who door dash every meal are going to dramatically affect the budget. And transportation has definitely increased.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18!years ago, when my kid was a baby, a friend told me that her financial advisor said four years at a private college would cost our kids $400k, so that number always stuck in my head. Turns out it was spot on.

My husband’s uncle said this to us around/near the time of our wedding. I didn’t believe him.

We have neighbors with a newborn. My kid attends their alma mater. They are 37. They thought tuition was $65k——absolutely shocked when I told them it’s now $90k. They didn’t believe us until they looked it up.

I think many people see a "tuition" figure and don't realize that "room and board" are separate.

It’s a bit less. My 529 grew better than expected, which is part of it. There were sports and merit scholarships. Also things I expected to buy like shoes, backpacks and coats were provided by sports team sponsors. Books are cheap or even free in that they can be borrowed. Local transportation is free so rarely are they Ubering.

Sticker shock for me is the food plan. Cheapest is $720 per month. But aside from that, honestly I am very pleasantly surprised. And the food plan is only required for one year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18!years ago, when my kid was a baby, a friend told me that her financial advisor said four years at a private college would cost our kids $400k, so that number always stuck in my head. Turns out it was spot on.

My husband’s uncle said this to us around/near the time of our wedding. I didn’t believe him.

We have neighbors with a newborn. My kid attends their alma mater. They are 37. They thought tuition was $65k——absolutely shocked when I told them it’s now $90k. They didn’t believe us until they looked it up.

Two kinds of “expected” I suppose.

When we had kids (or even as recent as say MS), did we expect college to be what we’re now paying? Heck no!

Did the estimate/COA we got during admissions ring true? Mostly. A bit cheaper, actually. They added a bit more merit money, DC selected the cheapest dorm and meal plan, and off-campus housing is coming in significantly under room + board expenses. “Transportation” costs are fairly negligible since it’s within a moderate driving distance and DC doesn’t come home much. DC2 will be a different story as they are hoping to branch further out (into SEC territory).

The school's off campus housing estimate is way short of reality. Despite having nearly 5 years of college costs on a 529, we have to go out of pocket for housing. Withdraw rules limit to school's estimate.

Anonymous wrote:18!years ago, when my kid was a baby, a friend told me that her financial advisor said four years at a private college would cost our kids $400k, so that number always stuck in my head. Turns out it was spot on.

My husband’s uncle said this to us around/near the time of our wedding. I didn’t believe him.

Anonymous wrote:The biggest variable is transportation. Can you transport your child for breaks or do they require a plane ride?

But that is expected. People know if they are sending their child a plane ride away or not. It isn’t a surprise.

Had no experience with Greek organizations, so was surprised at the variety & amount of daughter’s sorority expenses.

It’s been a little more expensive as others mentioned with the transportation back-and-forth. Our kid has wanted to come home a few extra weekends and even the gas and tolls add up. Also she has found she needs to supplement with some grocery store food due to her schedule. She also decided to pick up yet another musical instrument so that rental cost and lessons were not anticipated. But in general, things are in line. We are paying full tuition plus about $500 a month for everything else listed above.

18!years ago, when my kid was a baby, a friend told me that her financial advisor said four years at a private college would cost our kids $400k, so that number always stuck in my head. Turns out it was spot on.