LETTER TO THE EDITOR | College costs need more explanation

Published 3:57 pm Friday, May 16, 2014

Editor,

I read a recent letter to the editor by Kelli White-Mellish regarding the cost of tuition at Skagit Valley College versus larger four year public universities.

I attended Everett Junior College for two years upon graduating from Langley High School in 1953. I received a $90 scholarship that covered my first years tuition. After getting my associate’s degree I transferred to, and graduated from, the University of Washington, where the tuition went up to about $180 per year.

When I compare costs of housing, autos, and starting salaries in the 1950s and 60s to today’s dollars, I estimate that inflation has caused prices to go up about 10 fold. Compare that with increased costs of tuition from $90 to $4,500 at a community college, and $180 to an estimated average of $10,000 at the University of Washington and you will see an increase of 50 times or more.

I wish someone in academia would explain why college costs are so out of proportion with today’s cost of living.

RICHARD BRYANT

Redmond, Ore.