The world is quite a different place from when your mom and dad went to college or university. Whereas the U.S. was once considered the premier opportunity and best deal for college and university bound students, state government financial woes and a complex mix of globalization, recessions, downturns and financial crisis has added an entirely new dynamic to the ability of many in obtaining a degree.
According to 2011 data from the website collegedata.com, tuition at the average public university jumped 8.3% to $8,244. Percentage wise, some institutions of higher learning were much worse than this, noting the largest increase from the California State University San Marcos posted the highest percentage increase in the country by raising tuition and fees 31% to $6,596.
With state budgets strained to the max, college and university costs have skyrocketed with student financial support from just about all of the states dramatically declining or has been displaced entirely. This has put an additional burden on the already overburdened American family requiring parents and family structures to kick-in far more for the education of their college-bound youth.
In order to make up for the lack of state support, the federal government has been adding additional funding to the education system in an effort to help students over the last ten years continue to attend higher level learning institutions. Additionally, the last three presidents in office have been addressing this issue significantly with additional financial aid programs.
The low income students were able to obtain Pell Grants due to federal government intervention, but those with income in excess of the minimum for a grant were left shouldering the burden of increased tuition costs. For more well-off families with incomes over $100,000, the tuition tax credits have helped offset tuition costs more significantly than for the lower middle class sector. It seems the middle class once again is taking up the slack as the tremendous increase in tuition costs continue to escalate.
As of this writing, the protests in the streets of America dubbed "Occupy Wall Street" are seriously addressing these grievances of the high cost of education and the enormous student debt incurred by fresh graduates. Compound to this the fact that new graduates are having difficulty even obtaining a job after graduation, and the reasoning behind paying for and struggling to obtain a degree in this era seems daunting at best.
With most states currently on the verge of bankruptcy, they, for the most part, seem to be out of the game of subsidizing college educations. With federal government deficits and debt constraints kicking in, and more individuals then ever wanting to return to college, the picture for students on a path towards higher education is most difficult and arduous for those in the middle class arena.
Given the state of affairs in America, it's obviously more important than ever to shop around for the best price of obtaining a college education, investigate all of your options for tuition loans and grants, understand the requirements for scholarships and tax breaks and in general, become a savvy college bound student in order to get the best bang for your buck in today's university and college environment. Check out the details of the universities and colleges on our website and do your research in order to get the most cost effective and best education possible.
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