The Price of Education

By Jorden Meltz

At a time when figuring out how to more efficiently save money and follow a budget have become a priority for a majority of the country, the one thing that has become more difficult to plan for is college. This past year tuition and fees at public universities increased by 6.5% and at private universities increased by 4.4%. This comes at a time when many families have seen their college savings decrease in value and a continued growth of number of students applying to college. According to the College Board at least fifty-eight private colleges and universities charge at least $50,000 a year for tuition, room and board, and fees. Although the 2% decrease in the consumer price index has brought relief to many, for those in the college planning stages these growth rates will be very difficult to account for. With Healthcare reform at the forefront of many political discussion and legislation, it seems that discussion about how to make college more affordable if these tuition rates continue cannot be too far away.