[cmurf]

Right and also tuition doesn't mean cost of attendance where there are all kinds of additional fees, books, room and board, etc. Cost of attendance is easily double that of tuition. So it's actually in the vicinity of $25K per year for a state university.

State college and community college in particular can be a lot less, and it's possible to even split the difference and do 2 years community and then graduate from the university by transferring credits. Of course, you have to have your ducks in a row to pull that off.

[refurb]

room and board

You're paying for room and board regardless if you go to college or not. Or you can just live with your parents.

[pilom]

In reply to jazzyk, very few community colleges require that and even if you don't include those, most state schools will waive that requirement if you are over a certain age I.e. you went back to school.

[jazzyk]

Most colleges require on-campus residence for at least 1 year (usually 2 years)

[k-mcgrady]

Seriously? I've never heard of this in the UK. How can a college require that? It's outrageous.

[k-mcgrady]

Room and board is just a cost of life. You're paying it whether you go to college or not and it's easily affordable with a part-time bar job (obviously it'll be a crappy room and you won't be having steak for dinner but still not something you should need loans for).