Page 159 - Crisis in Higher Education

130 • Crisis in Higher Education

offer need-based scholarship. It is possible that more should be done for
promising students from low-income families, but that topic alone com-
mands an entire book.
Earning more income and saving more of it is one side of the equa-
tion; finding ways to spend less for a high-quality bachelor’s degree is also
important. Following are things students and their families can do to cut
their spending for university degrees. These are important for everyone
but most important for low- and moderate-income families.

1. In-state, public universities: As shown in the prior section, choos-
ing a public university reduces cost substantially. About 69% of
applicants for bachelor’s degrees make this choice. Many public
universities provide strong curricula and a high-quality education.
Well-qualified applicants have a better chance to earn scholarships
at public universities than at elite schools. 1
2. Reduce housing costs: About 48% of students live at home. For uni-
versities, this number is less because the 48% includes students
attending community and technical colleges. Nevertheless, it is an
option to cut expenses by about 40%. Students who are unwilling or
unable to live at home can choose apartment living to save money,
and 35% add a roommate to save even more. 1
3. Personal spending: About 60% of students take steps to reduce spend-
ing on things like mobile phones, entertainment, and transportation. 1
4. Community and technical colleges: As described in Table 1.1 in
Chapter 1, tuition and fees at these institutions cost substantially less
($3,435) than at in-state, public universities ($9,410). If students live
at home, they can earn an associate degree, which may count toward
the first two years of their bachelor’s degree. The total cost of a year
would be about $9,000 or $18,000 for two years of study. The $9,000
includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, and miscel-
laneous living expenses. This sounds like a great idea, but there are
pitfalls to avoid.
a. Useful transfer: Applicants should take time to work with the
community and technical college and the university to ensure
that all courses taken at the two-year college transfer and fulfill
requirements in the bachelor’s degree they are seeking. Most states
require public universities to accept all coursework taken at two-
year colleges, but they do not and should not force public univer-
sities to count these courses toward a particular bachelor’s degree.