How do Americans pay for college if tuition can reach $60,000 or $100,000 USD a year?

[jennifer_bloom]

Where I live in Canada, tuition is around $4,000 to $10,000 CAD a year, and that is in Canadian dollars, which might be $3,000 to $7,000 USD or $2000 to $4000 British pounds. But this is only for Canadian Citizens. If you are not a citizen, you might have to pay $80,0000 USD a year to study in Canada and this does not include rental fees and food costs.

It's just, I know people who complain about tuition in Canada and avoid college in Canada due to tuition fees, while in America, tuition costs sometimes 12 or 30 times more than it does in Canada, and it seems over half of Americans go to college and pay off their loans.

[Alex-Snow]

Jennifer... I'm currently a junior in college and you are correct. It is costing me about $38,000 (USD) a year. I am fortunate that I have a partial scholarship (swim team) and I'm in student work program which helps me with personal expenses. It seems like all prices have gone up this past year more than ever... uggg.

Fortunately my mom has a good job (attorney) and is covering what the scholarship does not. But I'm hoping to get into medical school after undergrad next year and that will be 4 years and about $75,000 per year. I will have to get student loans for that. Kind of daunting! Hopefully in the long run it will pay off.

[jamesgoldman]

No idea, I was offered university for free and turned it down

[AI Opinion]

I wondered the same thing before studying in the U. S. In practice, most Americans do not pay $60k–$100k out of pocket.

Common ways it’s covered:

1. Public colleges: In‑state tuition can be $8k–$15k/year, much cheaper than elite privates.
2. Need‑based aid: Grants and tuition discounts from the college (often large at wealthy schools).
3. Merit scholarships: For grades, athletics, etc.
4. Federal loans: Students borrow; many graduate with debt.
5. Work + family help: Part‑time jobs, parental savings (529 plans), employer tuition benefits, military programs.

Only a small minority actually pay the full sticker price.

[darkcloud1945]

It is the price we AMERICANS have to pay for an inferior education from the Woke and DEI people, whose mantra is that we need more money for education.