Questions About College
Find a College Near You:
Questions About College

How To Pay For College?
How To Choose A College?
How To Prepare For College?
How To Apply For College?
How Long Is College?
How To Find The Right College?
How To Choose A College Major?
How To Get College Scholarships?

How To Get Into College?
How Important Is College?
How To Decide On A College?
How To Get Ready For College?
How To Go Back To College?
How Many Years Of College Does It Take?

Why Should I Go To College?
Why Is College Important?
Why Is College So Expensive?

What College Is Right For Me?
What Should I Major In?
What To Look For In A College?

What Is A College Major?
What Is A Liberal Arts College?
What Is A Community College?
What Is A Junior College?
What Is The Difference Between A College And A University?

When Should I Apply For College?
Where Should I Go To College?
Which College Is Right For Me?
Who Goes To College?
Do You Need To Go To College?

Is College Necessary?
Is College Important?
Is College A Good Investment?
Are You Ready For College?

What Career Is Right For Me?


Why Is College So Expensive?


No one would argue that a college education is an unwise investment - but an investment it certainly is. A recent Consumer Affairs report says that tuition at state universities around the country now averages about $12,000 per year, and at private schools it hovers around $25,000. The College Board says that tuitions have risen steadily since 1958, at about twice the rate of general inflation.

Why is College So Expensive?
There are several reasons for such high tuition rates. First, most students don't actually pay the flat tuition rates, and in fact pay discounted rates through financial aid packages. When you consider what the average student actually pays - roughly $8,000 per year in tuition and fees - the rates haven't escalated that much in recent years.

Yet colleges raise tuition frequently because they can. There is a perception among many that the more expensive and elite the school, the better it is; high tuitions can actually be a boon to enrollment.

Plus, in their race to attract students and to make college ranking lists, they feel pressured to invest in new facilities, the latest technology, and the best athletic programs. Many are increasingly offering tenured faculty raises and benefits packages as well; salaries comprise nearly two-thirds of a college's budget.

The Silver Lining
There is good news: First, research shows that students with equivalent credentials earned the same salaries, no matter which college they've attended. Second, there are more options than ever before for financial aid and college savings.

Finally, the College Board reports that those with bachelor's degrees earned, on average, 62 percent more per year than their diploma-only cohorts in 2003. So clearly, although a college education can be expensive, it certainly pays to have one.


The following schools can provide you with more information about attending college:
  DeVry University

DeVry University offers flexible scheduling and the convenience to study at any of 80+ locations, online or a combination of both. Earn a respected associate degree, bachelor's degree or master's degree from an accredited university. A career-oriented education from DeVry University will put you in a great place to begin or advance in the workplace when you graduate.

Request more information from DeVry University .
  American InterContinental University Online

Earn your degree online, fast. AIU Online offers degree programs in Business Administration, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Visual Communications, and Education. Bachelor's degrees can be earned quickly and conveniently, while Master's degrees can be earned in as little as 10 months. AIU Online's degree programs are designed for maximum flexibility—study at the times and places that work best for you.

Request more information from American InterContinental University Online.
  University of Phoenix

With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, we can help you reach your goal while you work—and much sooner than you might expect. In fact, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of students achieve the higher education they need to achieve higher success. We can help you too.

Request more information from University of Phoenix .
  Kaplan University

Earn your degree, advance your career, and achieve your goals with an online degree or certificate from Kaplan University. And do it all without missing a day of work. Kaplan University offers accredited online degree programs in Business, Criminal Justice, Technology and Design, and Paralegal Studies. Kaplan also offers Continuing Education, allowing working professionals to earn certificates in Forensic Nursing, Legal Nurse Consulting, Life Care Planning, and Financial Planning.

Request more information from Kaplan University.
  Strayer University

At Strayer University, we fit your life. Established in 1892 and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Strayer University is dedicated to providing quality higher education programs for working adults like you. Classes are designed to fit your busy schedule, meeting on evenings, weekends, and asynchronously on the web. Undergraduate and graduate programs are available in accounting, business and internet technology.

Request more information from Strayer University.