[quote=“ucbalumnus, post:34, topic:2092615”]
[quote=“sbdad12, post:25, topic:2092615”]
Yes, $58-$61K sounds right for the median. But this article tells you that’s the lower end of the middle class in LA: https://laist.com/2019/01/28/middle-class_californians_heres_whats_in_gov_newsoms_budget_for_you.php
I would think we have reached the breaking point where a family needs to intentionally lower its income just to get financial aid, sacrificing a mortgage and retirement.
I continue to be outspoken not just against Michigan, but many universities. In California, we have the CSUs and UCs. There are some good schools within the CSUs (SDSU, CalPoly, Long Beach), but many of the prized universities are in the UC system. Both systems are relatively affordable tuition wise (usually between $9,000-$15,000/year), that is if you can get accepted. If you can’t, then you find yourself going OOS or to a lesser in state school. And OOS starts to get you in trouble.
When a family finds itself paying $35-$50K/year in tuition alone, I question whether it’s even worth the expense. Seems to me that a college undergraduate education, all in, should cost somewhere between $75-$125K for four years, for a family. Many individuals, as you mention, have to borrow or commute from home. Or spend two years in the local community college, which is actually a good financial choice.
When you get to the $200K-$300K range for undergrad, no matter the school, it’s just plain nonsense. With loans, that’s $1,400-$2,000/month for 20 years!