Possibly inspiring info about college affordability

[kubiac]

I read a lot of the threads about how prohibitive college costs are, and we obviously feel the same way, but I was just reading the president's letter in my Stanford alumni magazine, and there were a bunch of bits that made me feel hopeful that middle-class families CAN still send their kids to the schools of their choice:

 

* Stanford students whose family income is below $100,000 pay no tuition.

* Parents with income below $60,000 pay no tuition nor room and board.

* Of the students earning undergraduate degrees in 2011-12, 75 percent graduated debt free. The average amount for the 25 percent was $18,833.

 

Could be worse, right?

[Amy in NH]

Of course, a student needs to work hard to get into Stanford. But IMO that's as it should be.

 

Too many people who shouldn't be let into universities are led to believe they need a Bachelor's degree, when vocational college and trade schools might serve them better.

[wapiti]

That's great, and that should encourage top students of modest means to apply. I really wish that the affordability of top-tier schools was more widely-understood. (Likewise, it helps to understand just how high the admissions bar is and the very small percentage of students who will have access to these types of schools.)

[Kathy in Richmond]

I read a lot of the threads about how prohibitive college costs are, and we obviously feel the same way, but I was just reading the president's letter in my Stanford alumni magazine, and there were a bunch of bits that made me feel hopeful that middle-class families CAN still send their kids to the schools of their choice:

 

* Stanford students whose family income is below $100,000 pay no tuition.

* Parents with income below $60,000 pay no tuition nor room and board.

* Of the students earning undergraduate degrees in 2011-12, 75 percent graduated debt free. The average amount for the 25 percent was $18,833.

 

Could be worse, right?

 

 

Yes, it's true, & my daughter is SO lucky to be there. I'm glad that we were made aware of this before she and her brother applied to colleges. She applied to a state school & was admitted, but William & Mary would have cost us much more than Stanford, plus she would have had loans if she'd gone there. As it is, she'll graduate debt free. We thank our lucky stars every day.