The state of education:

[ginny]

Ladies, I just read this in the NYT, and thought I would post a link here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/ed...er=rss&emc=rss

The Univ of Ca system is proposing to raise tuition by 32% for undergraduates next year to make up for steep budget cuts. I think I'll call my undergrad university and give them a few bucks! I wonder how many students will drop out with such steep increases in tuition. It makes me so sad.

[Biciclista]

my younger son is about to apply to several schools for his PhD. I am so afraid he won't be able to do it because of costs...

[ginny]

I'm in a PhD program (chemistry/ cell biology), and usually they do not accept students that they cannot support (they being the department). I wonder what will happen in the UC system though? My best friend is at UC Riverside working on her PhD (Chemistry) - I will have to ask what the gossip is. I just think education is so very important, and I wonder how many students will be discouraged to pursue their undergraduate degree now. I keep telling my family in Ca to look out of state. It's often cheaper to pay out of state tuition than in state in Ca...

[Biciclista]

yes, yes. good. He already said he won't go without getting a position. I'm just afraid the positions will dry up.

[Owlie]

I keep wondering when the tuition hikes are going to hit Ohio. We've already got some of the highest in-state tuition in the country because the state (not to get too political) doesn't see fit to fund it. I'm going to a private university, so it doesn't matter to me. Well...it does--Ohio residents going to a private college in Ohio used to get $900 a year. It paid for books. They cut that a couple years ago. It's now something like $300. ONE of my textbooks costs $150.
I'm in the PhD program application process now, except that I'm strongly leaning toward taking a year off. I've definitely heard rumors of cutbacks in admissions because of the economy. With a few exceptions, all of my programs of choice are at public schools. The program I really like is in AZ, whose economy is also not so great at the moment.
Ginny--really? Out of state tuition in other states is lower than CA's in-state? Ohio State's in state this year is ~$8,700 at the main campus. For out of state, it's $22,000.

[ginny]

yeah, I know for a fact that University of Wyoming out of state is cheaper than in state at Colorado State University (for undergrads). For professional programs, there are programs like WICHE for Vet school and WWAMI for medical school that keep tuition at in-state levels for students from qualifying states. I also think that CSU tuition for out of state may be cheaper than in state for some schools (UC perhaps?) - I don't know that for a fact, but I think I remember it lurking in the cobwebs somewhere...

[Owlie]

I'm just really glad that all the PhD programs I'm applying to guarantee out-of-state tuition waivers if they accept you! If I take a year off, I'll be taking a few credit hours' worth of grad classes to keep myself in the loop, as it were. My original plan was to pick a university, move to that city, and take classes there. AZ schools have ridiculously high out-of-state tuition, so I think I'm staying in Ohio...

[Crankin]

The out of state tuition at U of A was less than some other out of state tuitions and about half of private universities. My younger son went there until he enlisted. It cost us about 20k for the year, including room/board/tuition. It wasn't that long ago, either. In fact, he went there, as opposed to CU, which was his first choice, because it was half the cost of CU for out of state students. So I am not sure where you are getting this information or what other schools you are comparing AZ to. The in state tuition there is ridiculously low; I went to ASU and even though it was a long time ago, there has always been really cheap in state tuition there; it should be more equitable.
That article about CA is little distressing. Same son is now living in San Diego and his wife wants to stay there. She is in school there at a community college and will be transferring. He would be looking to finish at UCSD or SDSU when he is done with the military. Although they don't have to pay the tuition because of the GI bill, who wants to go to a university that strapped? It seems like everyone would just be demoralized.

[Owlie]

The out of state tuition at U of A was less than some other out of state tuitions and about half of private universities. My younger son went there until he enlisted. It cost us about 20k for the year, including room/board/tuition. It wasn't that long ago, either. In fact, he went there, as opposed to CU, which was his first choice, because it was half the cost of CU for out of state students. So I am not sure where you are getting this information or what other schools you are comparing AZ to. The in state tuition there is ridiculously low; I went to ASU and even though it was a long time ago, there has always been really cheap in state tuition there; it should be more equitable.

I'm referring to graduate courses, which are more expensive anyway, and because I'd be a)out of state and b)taking non-degree courses for that year, I'd be charged by credit hour. If I went to U of A, I'd be charged a bit more than $800 per credit hour (plus fees, which brings it to about $1000), and if I went to University of Cincinnati or Ohio State, I'd be paying $425-500 (including fees) per credit hour. (I pulled the numbers off their respective websites.)
But I agree, the in-state undergrad tuition in AZ is insanely low, and even the grad tuition is low.

[Crankin]

I guess I'm a little jaded from living in MA. When my other son went to U Mass Amherst, the tuition was 6k a year, but now it's 10K. I guess it's high compared to other places, but he got a really good education. And since most of the people here go to private universities and pay at least 30k a year just for tuition, it seems like nothing. I just saw on the news that the tuition in CA is going up to 10K. People here would think that was a deal! I'm in grad school for a second master's at a private university and I am paying about $900 a credit... total program is 60 credits, so do the math. I got a loan as I wasn't willing to give up my life style. I will pay it back when I start working again, although having a spouse certainly helps. Have you looked into grad assistantships? I was in a PhD program at ASU and I didn't pay a dime (I quit because I was sick of school at the time).

One suggestion about AZ. Why would you be taking non degree courses? I seem to remember that you could take summer classes for in state tuition, no matter where you were from. Since there are 2 5 week summer sessions, it could be up to 12 credits. Of course, you have to be able to stand the heat!
Also, a lot of people moved there, got a job to establish residency, a driver's license, etc and went part time. I also think you can take up to 6 credits for in state tuition. If you are planning to take a year off, why not move, get your residency if that is the program you really want to do.

[solobiker]

DH just showed me a video of riots at a college/university in California due to the increase in tuition fees. All I have to say is I am glad I am not a student right now.

[Dogmama]

Have you looked into grad assistantships? I was in a PhD program at ASU and I didn't pay a dime (I quit because I was sick of school at the time).

One suggestion about AZ. Why would you be taking non degree courses? I seem to remember that you could take summer classes for in state tuition, no matter where you were from. Since there are 2 5 week summer sessions, it could be up to 12 credits. Of course, you have to be able to stand the heat!
Also, a lot of people moved there, got a job to establish residency, a driver's license, etc and went part time. I also think you can take up to 6 credits for in state tuition. If you are planning to take a year off, why not move, get your residency if that is the program you really want to do.

Having a grad assistantship waives out of state tuition, you're still liable for in-state - which in AZ isn't too high (yet!). Establishing residency is getting difficult though. Summers - I recommend on-line classes!! But be prepared for a foot race because they cram 16 weeks into 5 or 8 weeks (depending on the class.) You can also take classes during the winter break & those are three week classes. Kiss you husband goodbye & tell your friends Merry Christmas.

[Dogmama]

Ladies, I just read this in the NYT, and thought I would post a link here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/ed...er=rss&emc=rss

The Univ of Ca system is proposing to raise tuition by 32% for undergraduates next year to make up for steep budget cuts. I think I'll call my undergrad university and give them a few bucks! I wonder how many students will drop out with such steep increases in tuition. It makes me so sad.

That is very admirable. I would make sure that you specify that your contribution goes towards education, for example adding to an existing scholarship. If you just give "unrestricted" money, it can end up buying Dunkin Donuts for the administration.

OK, devils advocate here. I do feel sad for those students and I hope that there is an increase in tuition assistance through grants or loans for the students who deserve them.

However - I am finishing a one year stint in college (including summer sessions - ugh.) I will tell you that many of those kids don't belong there. Communication skills are nonexistent. They are interested in doing the bare minimum, the battle cry being, "Is this going to be on the test?" In my day, you never walked in 30 minutes late, slept at your desk or sent text messages all through class (OK - in my day there were no cell phones.)

Back in the stone ages, ("BC" - before computers) I watched a kid get tossed out of a lecture because he was dressed inappropriately. Today, you want the front row of the classroom unless you like looking at gross tats and butt cracks.

I've had to do group projects. Being the oldest one, they automatically assume that I'll take control & clean up after them. It's infuriating. They don't show up for group meetings, don't do what they've been assigned (or do a real half-assed job), or text through the meeting.

OK - I know there are students who are serious about education & they know that it can catapult them into a better life. And I really feel badly for those who will be priced out of education. I just hope that they can secure some financial assistance because many of them already work outside of school. But if I hear one more student whine...

/rant off

[Veronica]

There is this belief that college is for everyone. I guess it's because we've sent so many of our blue collar jobs overseas, so now you need to go to college to get a job.


Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Liberal arts education maybe isn't for everyone (and I'm not sure how true that would really be with a better elementary education system), but a two-year tech degree is needed to do just about any job.