<p>This is like when you go somewhere and they tell you certain services are “free to all students”.</p>
<p>No, students do not get these things for free. The correct word is, “included”.</p>
<p>twilight_girl, these numbers are correct and have been correct-- there was no drop in price you were just looking at total costs versus tuition costs. It’s not that these schools are cheaper for you, it’s that they’re included-- in the price you pay for your state taxes. Luckily, California has an excellent system. Other states have not been so successful in establishing so many strong schools.</p>