Local College Students Pursue Higher Education by Looking In State

Published Dec. 13, 2008, Page 1, The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.
Published Dec. 29. 2008, Page 1, The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, Mass.

http://www.enterprisenews.com/homepage/x48915674/College-students-shop-for-good-deal-in-tough-economy


By Genevieve Quinn

Brianna Smith’s decision to attend Bridgewater State College was a no-brainer.

“Bridgewater was the cheapest school I applied to by thousands. After the whole stock market crash I couldn’t get a loan. My dad had to take the money out of his 401k, which now basically cripples his retirement,” she said.

Smith’s situation is not unique.

The increased cost for higher education, combined with an average decrease in family income, has made affording college today harder than ever.

The share of family income required to pay a years tuition at a 4 year public college has doubled since 1960, from 13 to 27 percent, according to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

College tuition since then has also increased by a stunning 375 percent, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

With the present day economy in shambles, young college students are left with fewer choices as to where to pursue their higher education.

For many students it makes sense to attend school locally, as in state college costs are cheaper compared to out of state.

“The price of tuition was definitely the key in me going to MCC,” said Steve Spillane, a student at Massasoit Community College.

For some, even going to school locally is a struggle.

The average tuition for in-state, public colleges has increased by 35 percent since 2001-2002, according to a NACAC study.

“My parents can't afford to help me out with college bills, so it’s nice to go to a college that's cheap,” said Ellen Berna, a University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth freshman.

In 2008-09, the average tuition and fees of $6,585 for in-state students at public four-year institutions increased by $394, or 6.4 percent. For out-of state students, the average $17,452 is an increase of $866, or 5.2 percent, according to the College Board annual survey of colleges.

These are just public university statistics.

Many students look at private universities, but often realize the debt they will owe will follow them into adulthood.

“It came down to being over $100,000 in debt by the time I graduated or going to school for free,” said Cherilyn Cabral, a freshman at The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, who choose going to college locally.

With private university tution prices reaching outrageous numbers, public universitites are receiving more applications than ever before.

78 percent of public colleges nationwide noted a significant increase in the number of applications since 2007, according to the NACAC.

Massasoit Community College, with campuses in Brockton and Canton, saw an enrollment increase of 4.7 percent in the fall of 2008.

The numbers increased from 7, 064 applications in the fall of 2007 to 7, 394 in the fall of 2008.

“It doesn’t seem like much, but for us it was a noticeable increase,” said Mary Lynch, the Director of Institutional Research at MCC.

Cyndi McNamara was one student who added to this increase.

“It is my goal to earn an associates degree in Computer Information/User support. There are private schools that offer these classes and they are way too expensive,” McNamara said.

Bridgewater State College also saw an enrollment increase from the fall of 2007 to the fall of 2008. There were 6,940 applications in 2007 and 7,628 in 2008.

The numbers projected for the fall of 2009, 8,100 applications, will be the highest ever for the school.

“As of today, with just our early decision applications in, our numbers are up 30 percent compared to last year. All indications are that our numbers will be up significantly, and the biggest part is due to the economy,” said Greg Meyer, the Director of Admissions at Bridgewater State College.

It doesn’t help matters that today more young people across the country are choosing to attend college.

The number of 18 and 19 year-olds attending college rose from 36 percent in
1976 to 46 percent in 2006.

With more people applying to college, there is less federal student aid to go around.

“I come from a low income family and I am one of five girls, and if I was to go to a private school I would be required to take out huge loans and be expected to pay them back myself, if I could even get the loans,” said Alexis Kay, another Bridgewater State student.

For some local students, it makes sense to attend cheaper undergraduate schools to save money for the future.

“One of the factors of my decision to go to Umass was the price, my financial aid and scholarships nearly paid for the whole thing. It is saving my family and I a lot of money in the long run. I want to go to a really good law school in the future so I decided to go to a cheaper undergrad school,” said Nicole Talbot, a freshman at Umass-Dartmouth.

Despite the fact that many students have little choice but to stay close to home to pursue their college educations, most end up having great experiences.

“Yeah I am going here because it is much cheaper than schools I wanted to go to. I don't want to owe thousands of dollars forever. But I chose BSC because it's a great school and so far I love it here!,” said Courtney Bulger, a freshman at Bridgewater State College.

College graduates today have become the most heavily indebted group in American history, according to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

For many students, the choice is simple: Get a great education for less by going to school locally.