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THE FIRST TRUE UNIVERSITIES ARE ESTABLISHED IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE.
Few of these charge tuition, and are either supported by the church or the government.
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THOMAS JEFFERSON PROPOSES AN EDUCATION SYSTEM SUPPORTED THROUGH TAXES.
Jefferson believed that for a government to truly work and people to be good citizens, the population had to be educated. Jefferson never saw his plans for universal free education realized in their entirety, but the government did begin subsidizing elementary schools in 1818 and helped him start The University of Virginia with a $15,000 grant.
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/a-timeline-of-college-tuition/ -
MANY COLLEGES DO NOT CHARGE TUITION (OR HAVE VERY LOW RATES), BUT ONLY THE WEALTHY CAN AFFORD THE LIVING EXPENSES INCURRED DURING STUDY.
Much like parents today have to help support students as they attend college, at the turn of the 19th century families also paid for room and board, books, clothing and other supplies their young scholars would need. Most could not afford these expenses or the luxury of not having an adult member of the family in the work force.
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/a-timeline-of-college-tuition/ -
COLLEGES ONLY PROVIDE BARE BONES ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS.
Forget about the cushy colleges of today. In the early 1800's, it was common for college students, even those who were quite wealthy, to sleep in barracks and eat less than delicious meals, which helped keep tuition and living costs fairly low. Today’s state of the art colleges and facilities cost a pretty penny to maintain and build, driving up tuition costs significantly.
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TUITION AT HARVARD WAS A MERE $150 PER YEAR.
For half that, just $75, students could attend Brown University for a year. While a pittance today, this was still a fair amount of money at the time (about $3,000 in today’s dollars), and many lower class families would never be able to afford college without scholarship support.
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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS SOAR, DOUBLING BETWEEN 1920 AND 1930.
In the carefree days of the Roaring 20’s, colleges saw a huge surge of admissions from both male and female students. By the end of the decade, 20% of college-age Americans would be enrolled. Tuition was still fairly low, and students could attend Wharton Business School for just $250 a year.
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/a-timeline-of-college-tuition/ -
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT PASSES THE G.I. BILL.
This bill helped provide for the returning veterans of WWII, and still offers higher education benefits for their counterparts today. Under the legislation, veterans could get college or vocational education for free or at a reduced cost, something that still helps many go to college today.
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/a-timeline-of-college-tuition/ -
THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT PASSES.
Another major piece of educational legislation affecting college tuition, the Higher Education Act helped provide financial assistance for students who couldn’t afford to attend college solo. It is what helped establish many of the Financial Aid programs still in place today, giving students low interest loans and federal grant money to attend schools of their choosing.
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/a-timeline-of-college-tuition/ -
ONLY 49% OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADS GO ON TO COLLEGE, AND GRANTS COVER 80% OF THE ASSOCIATED COST
Part of what makes college so expensive for modern day students is that so many more are choosing to attend. Today, 67% of high school grads will go on to college, which leaves much less grant money to go around. As a result, they only cover 39% of tuition costs.
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/a-timeline-of-college-tuition/ -
IN TODAY’S DOLLARS, TUITION FOR ONE YEAR AT A PRIVATE COLLEGE AVERAGES $9,876, AND AT IN-STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS JUST $2,175.
While private school still isn’t a bargain, all four years would cost less than one at most schools today.
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/a-timeline-of-college-tuition/
