<p>worried mom in post 24 is probably right, every college will call it an investment.
Actually, most people selling a product or service call it an investment. It sounds better.
For the student chipping in his own money, it is an investment. For a parent chipping in money for their offspring, it is a gift. Putting their own money in their own 401k would be an example of an investment.</p>
<p>Not to say a parent giving is good or bad, just to say a college is in the business of selling.</p>