But then again, so did just about every other state.

In a national "report card" every state except California got an "F" when it came to the affordability of education.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4967913

Understandable, too. I know so many kids who are up to their eyeballs in student debt. Was it always this way? What caused everything to go up?

When I started at San Diego State University (SDSU) it was $971 each semester for full-time tuition. This covered 12-18 credits as a flat rate. Those were the good old days. That was about 11 years ago (man I am getting old). In contrast, $971 would only cover a 3-credit class at the U after you look at all of the fees, and only about 7-8 credits if you just look at the per-credit cost. I am one of the "up to my eyeballs in student loans", although a lot of people have more in loans than I do. I should have stayed at SDSU. GO AZTECS!!!!!!!

Higher demand = higher cost

More people are going to college than before. It's more "necessary" for the silly desk jobs we all do (or at least to get hired and/or move up the ladder). Plus, everything costs more (you can see that at the store) and the government has been pulling funds. And, colleges have lost money with the economic ridiculousness as well. And other such complicated influences.

But, I would say the main reason it costs so much is the same reason toilet paper costs as much as it does: we "need" those things, so they charge what they want for it, and we pay it.

If I had not received financial aid and scholarships, I would have about $120,000 of debt for my B.A. right now. Scary!

Why are we under the delusion that a college education is essential for socio-economic success? It at best acts as a smoke-and-mirrors detour that, 95 out of 100 times, leads to mediocrity. Or in some cases, eternal poverty.

Buck the norm, give the man the finger, and read a book instead.