School debt doesn't HAVE to be crippling

[Dylan]

Also if you don't go to college you're statistically very likely being subsidized and not subsidizing anyone.

[IndependentProfessor]

I, quite literally, have no idea what you all are complaining about. My kids' tuition (2nd grade) is $10k per kid, per year. LSU is $9,660 for a year of school. Is LSU the "best" school around? Hell no. But, get a degree in petrochemical/petroleum engineering, get a job with an oil company here in LA that pays ~$70k out of school ($125k average salary), and you're set.

[IndependentProfessor]

[IndependentProfessor]

[Winchester]

[IndependentProfessor]

[Dylan]

LSU says it'll cost $22K a year for school, including a meal plan, housing and books and supplies.

So. Working, let's say $10/hour for 20 hours a week during the school year (let's say 9 months, so 38.7 weeks x $200/week = $7740).

Work full time summer, so the remaining 13.3 weeks are at $10/hour for 40 hours a week (40 x 10 = 400, x 13.3 = $5320).

So, hypothetical student has earned $13,000 in this year, facing a shortfall of roughly 9K. Multiply by 4, and we are at $35K debt for the four years of education. That's a hefty sum.....

This also assumes this student:

(1) Is in a major easy enough to devote 20 hours a week to work;
(2) Does not need summer internships, research positions during the school year, etc. to build a resume for a job or to attend a master's program; and
(3) Can actually find a $10/hour job (in a lot of college towns that's super unlikely).

[Saz]

[NAB]

[Saz]