As you know, taking time to compare costs is worthy of students’ time. When it comes to college, the one with the lowest listed price may not be a bargain in the long haul. Our new handout, “How much does college cost?" outlines three steps for families:

Step 1 — Think about the amount you’ll actually pay (which usually isn’t the listed price).

Step 2 — Consider graduation rates. At Minnesota's Private Colleges, students are more likely to graduate in four years, avoiding financial outlays for a 5th or 6th year.

Step 3 — Weigh the value of the investment. A high-quality education pays many dividends, many of which don’t show up on paper.

A comparison of costs should include consideration of graduation rates and lost earnings when students take longer than four years to graduate.

Download the full handout