Secrets to Paying for College

Who hasn’t thought about – or mildly panicked over – escalating college costs these days? The numbers are staggering. Recent studies put the average total cost (including tuition, room, board, books and fees) at $43,500 for private colleges and at $22,300 for public colleges. The total is thousands upon thousands more at some top private schools. According to CNNMoney.com, we can count on tuition rising at least 3% annually at private colleges and 5% at public schools, based on the assumption that prices will continue to rise at their recent rate. Now for some good news. Check out CNNMoney.com’s recent article on  secrets to footing that college bill. It offers an insider’s look at everything from “taming tuition and handling housing to finessing financial aid and braving borrowing” and also details what colleges do – and don’t – readily tell us.