The Cost of a University Education, Essay Example

For students who enrolled in 2012 at a“Private College, their projected 4-year tuition and fees are $127,100.00; for public/university, $37,800.00; and for 2 years community college & 2 years private college, $73,700.00” (College Savings 101).  This academic year’s tuition increase for private colleges is 4.2% and for public universities 4.8%.  The past ten years have seen an average increase of 6% (ibid.).  Consequently, the thesis of this paper is that university tuition and fees will continue to increase at a similar rate for the next few years.

The cost of a four year education depends upon many factors, one of them being the type of degree.  The more resources that a university needs to have for a particular degree, the higher the cost.  One example of this is the “Full Sail University, a film and art school in central Florida (where) the average price of tuition, fees, books, and other expenses totals $43,990.00, even when grants and scholarships are factored in” (Armario, 2012).  On the other hand, “Community Colleges remain one of the… most affordable options for higher education. The average price of a community college (education) increased by less than 1% between 2007 and 2009.  Tuition, room and board average $8,085 at a public two-year institution”(ibid).

In most cases, university costs for a two or four year education can be managed easier if students  live at home, have had part-time jobs throughout their teenage years, and received a scholarship.“Paying… can also be easily managed if you save where you can”(CI BC).

Works Cited

Amarcio, C.  (June 13, 2012).  Average cost of four year university up 15%.  Retrieved on November 22, 2012, from http://usatoday30.usa.com/money/economy.

CIBC.  The cost of university.  Retrieved on November 22, 2012, from http://www.cibc.com/ca/student-life/payingfor.

College Savings 101.  The real cost of higher education.  Retrieved on November 22, 2012, from http://www.savingforcollege.com/tutorial10i/the_re