With Kirk Heffelmire
Much has been said and written about the ballooning ($1.2 trillion and counting) student debt in the U.S.. But what does that mean in practice? A recent study by Sallie Mae puts it in context.
– This last year, families spent $24K in college per student, about the same as they did in 2010, but 40% more than they did in 2007 ($17K).
– Families of students in private schools spend $42K vs. families in public universities, $23K.
– 38% of families borrow to pay for college (varying from 56% of those going to private schools, to 43% of students going to public universities, or 22% in community colleges).
– Families that borrow, borrow about $13K and spend $7K more than families that don’t.
– How the typical family pays for college:
37% parents and friends (32% of that is parents)
30% grants and scholarships
22% loans (16% assumed by student, 6% by parents)
11% student’s own income
Other interesting findings: Of all students, 74% worked at some point during the year, and 70% of those worked the entire year. Working students averaged 22 hours of work per week. For graduate school, 45% of families with a current undergraduate expected the student to attend graduate school.