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Sierra J. '12
Fresno, CA
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If you look at the cost section on any college website, you'll find a wide gap between tuition at large public institutions and private colleges. That's where the myth comes from. Although the budget crises of the past few years have led to sharp increases in public institution tuition, they still rely on funding from state taxes which generally cover half or more of the cost of education. That keeps tuition low. |
Private colleges, while they don't receive tax support, do have two other things going for them: a commitment to remain affordable for every accepted student and generous donors who make that commitment a reality. As a result, a high majority of students at many private colleges receive scholarship and grant assistance. That keeps the NET tuition low. How low? That depends on who you are, and it depends on the private college you're considering. Private colleges use scholarships and grants to shape their campus communities. They look for students who can meet the academic challenge of smaller classes, who can be leaders in student government, who can enrich the community with their talents in music, the arts and other areas. They attract students who fit a particular college strength or mission. At Northland, for instance, some scholarships go to students who have a passion for issues related to the environment and sustainable living. Scholarships make these special campus communities accessible to students from all family income levels. |
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| So, how do you sort all this out? How do you keep your options open? You apply to the colleges that interest you the most, the places where you see the best match between your strengths and interests and the college's programs and values. At Northland, we use a rolling admissions procedure which means we accept qualified applicants in the order they apply. You should have an admission decision within a week of the time you complete your application and a scholarship the following week. In short, you need to gather information before you can make an informed choice. AND, in a new program that is generating nationwide acclaim, Northland has taken an extraordinary step to combat the myth that private colleges cost more. Through generous contributions from our donors, we can now make a clear and simple guarantee. If you are accepted to the freshman class with at least a B average in high school and your family's adjusted gross income is less than $150,000, your cost for tuition, fees, housing and meals will be at or below the advertised cost at the primary public university in your home state. The bottom line: when all is considered, private colleges often cost no more than public universities. Apply to the colleges that interest you. Evaluate how scholarships and financial aid awards affect your ability to invest in an education. That's gathering information on which to make a good decision.
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