How much did college cost, where did you go & how long did it take to pay off, etc?

[QuarterMillionMan]

Plumbing trade apprentice school 5 years paid training with the plumbers union while working. Did this for 10 years which is extremely hard work and decided to go to night school to earn a college degree knowing plumbing would take its toll on my body and possibly getting injured and not being able to perform it lifelong. Next BA in psychology from University of Hawaii and paid each semester in cash, total about $5000 for the degree. Next MEd in Educational Administration higher education, maybe $8000 again paid each semester in cash. Last MSW from CSULB again paid in cash each semester, total about $10,000 for the degree.

[disneysteve]

You got a 4-year degree for $5,000? In what year?

I went to college 1982-1986 and my first year was more than that. It was about $7,000 year one and went up about $1,000 each year so senior year was just over $10,000.

[QuarterMillionMan]

My first 2 years was at a community college, I forgot about that.

[kork13]

My numbers are pretty abnormal ... I went to the US Air Force Academy, at a cost on the order of roughly -$40k, and zero debt. Basically, they paid me to go to college, covered all of my costs, and guaranteed me a job earning (in 2008) ~$42k/yr.

Selection to attend USAFA (or another US military academy) automatically includes what is considered a full-ride scholarship, plus a monthly stipend, plus most of the other stuff that goes along with being in the military. In all, they advertise that the 'scholarship' (aka quasi-enlistment, aka indentured servitude) is worth roughly $350k-$400k, including the education, room & board, stipend, campus programs, medical, travel, etc.

Every way you slice it, going to a service academy is a pretty incredible opportunity for getting started into a career ... as long as you can tolerate the military lifestyle & its associated shenanigans. After graduation, they own your butt for no less than 5 years, up to 11-12 years for those who become pilots. But, it's a secure, well-compensated job -- your pay rapidly climbs in the first 6 years up to $90k+, and continues to climb with successive promotions. After my next promotion in July, I'll be earning over $170k/yr, now ~15 years in.

[disneysteve]

I went to college 1982-1986 and my first year was more than that. It was about $7,000 year one and went up about $1,000 each year so senior year was just over $10,000.

And just to put that in current perspective, that same school is now about $43,000/yr.

[ua_guy]

I went to a private religious university and graduated with a business degree (Bachelor's) and a psychology minor. Tuition including room/board was $25k/year. I received ~30% scholarship on tuition, putting the cost of 4 years including living expenses and books somewhere between 80-100k. These are just rough estimations trying to remember back 20 years ago.

I was so fortunate as to not pay a dime of it. I also worked, and then I had a great internship the last two years of school, which was paid. There was an expectation to save money and prepare for the next phase of life after graduation. I already had plans to be on my own, and that was pretty much it. I left the nest and used my own wings to fly.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I went to college in 1977 and tuition alone was $9000. According to westegg.com inflation calculator, "what cost $9000 in 1977 would cost $44640.11 in 2022". They had good scholarships + aid, so I only ever borrowed $400. The website for the college says of the 2023-24 year "Tuition: $54,082 . Fees: $810." So yeah, tuition inflation there has been greater than general inflation.

[disneysteve]

I didn't fully answer your question. I graduated undergrad in 1986 with $14,500 in student loans, not a huge amount at all, even back then. What really racked up the debt was medical school. I came out of that with total student loan debt of about $102,000. It took me 12 years to pay it all off, which was pretty good since the loans had 25-year repayment schedules.

[kork13]

I suppose I also got my masters degree at no cost... I'm required to do professional education periodically with the Air Force, and I was able to expand on one of those programs a bit, write a relevant thesis, and fulfill the requirements for a masters. It's not really a degree that's worth much outside the military, but it checks a box to get me considered for other opportunities, so it works enough for me.

[MonkeyMama]

My college education cost $10,000 at California State University. I took 5 years and paid cash as I went. Graduated 1999. Accounting degree, which has always been in very high demand. This is basically full sticker price. My parents did not help me and they refused to apply for any financial aid. I did receive a scholarship that covered my last semester.

What's interesting is both my kids will attend CSU and it will be even cheaper for them. There are Federal college tax credits now, that did not exist in the 1990s. & CA is really ramping up middle class aid. I mean literally, my younger kid will likely pay less than $5K if he never gets a scholarship. (I've got a college sophomore and a high school senior who committed to CSU).

Note: This is tuition/books only. I did not have any college specific room/board costs. I mean, I needed the food and the roof over my head regardless. My financial situation and dislike of (high interest) debt did not allow for the added expense of "dorms" or "going away to college". I spent my first year of college house sitting (free rent) and then rented a room after that. Probably would have done the exact same thing if I did not go to college.

[Bozzdivine]

Hey there! I went to a state university in California back in the early 2000s. Tuition was around $7,000 a year, so my four years racked up about $28,000. Then add on living expenses, books, etc., and the total was closer to $50,000. I was fortunate enough to have some scholarships, and I also worked part-time jobs throughout college which helped a lot. I graduated with about $20,000 in student loans. I took a job right after graduation and started chipping away at the debt. It took me around six years to fully pay it off.

[srblanco7]

Graduated in 1990 with an engineering degree from an Ivy. Total cost was about $100k - paid for with $30k in scholarships, about $30k in student loans, and $40k contribution from my family.

For context the $30k in student loans was roughly equivalent to my first year salary as an engineer and current cost of attendance at that same Ivy would be about $320k for four years.

[jenn_jenn]

I went to a UC for undergrad, graduated in 2013. In-state tuition was $15k/year. I was surprised to see 10 years later, it’s about the same cost. My parents generously paid for my tuition so I graduated with no student debt.

I got my MBA at a Cal State, graduated in 2017. In-state tuition was $15k/year and has also stayed consistent. My employer paid for half my tuition, my parents gave me about $3k/year, and I paid the rest and graduated with no student debt. I worked very hard to make that happen and turned down offers and scholarships at better schools that were great opportunities but didn’t fully cover the cost of tuition or allow me to work full-time.

[Snydley]

Form my B.S. degree I went to a private liberal arts college, graduated in 1996. Tuition at the time was 36K/year, and it was one of the highest in the country. I got financial aid, my parents covered some, and I left with about 36K in student loan debt at 22. I think I paid that off in my late 30s. My interest rate was ~2.6%.

Next, a biomedical PhD program: free tuition and ~22k/year stipend for expenses. I took out on 5K loan when I was there, paid that off in my 30s.


My husband also got the free PhD. He first went to McGill from 1987-1991. He said the tuition/board was 3K/year.

[riverwed070707]

Hey there! I went to a state university in California back in the early 2000s. Tuition was around $7,000 a year, so my four years racked up about $28,000. Then add on living expenses, books, etc., and the total was closer to $50,000. I was fortunate enough to have some scholarships, and I also worked part-time jobs throughout college which helped a lot. I graduated with about $20,000 in student loans. I took a job right after graduation and started chipping away at the debt. It took me around six years to fully pay it off.

Super similar for me. Went to an in state public college 04-08. Tuition was around $9k/yr. I took loans my first 2 years and paid cash as I went my last 2 so I only graduated with about $12k in loans. Paid them off on my 30th birthday.