OP, this thread reminds me of a few others. I don’t think there’s any real answer, but these two threads touch on some of the same issues; read through them when you have time.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/napervillecityillinois says that Naperville median household income is $110,676.
None of the four biggest cities in the bay area (San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Fremont) have median household incomes anywhere close to $150,000. All are substantially lower.
I think the point is that every college and uni in the US may not be economically feasible for every middle class family. But almost every middle class family can find an economically feasible college or uni for a college ready student. The $50,000 in assets that is the threshold for UofM out of state aid is bar that families with college age students have most likely surpassed. Use the calculators as part of the decision making when looking at other state’s unis.
ubcalumnus - understand what the government data says - would take those data for it is! Just like unemployment numbers only take those who are looking for jobs? Yes, we need not debate the pros and cons --but it is totally unrealistic!
https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines
Look at this data from the government (HHS) - poverty level for family of four is around $25K - tell me, is this even realistic??? How can they afford rent and health care? This is one of the reasons (have taught adults who cannot read or write properly - mostly poor temporary workers - yes, they are Caucasians not immigrants!) why it is sometimes better to be on welfare than be working poor!! Another major topic for another day!
Most of you are missing my point (one person steered the conversation to poor people so that he can feel better by virtue signaling - sadly many of these people, not saying that person, only do that - lip service to make them feel better!).
My question was how do people afford 5k after taxes if you are middle class and how come of U of M has 46% from out of state? After financial aid, if they an qualify for Ivies, they would be better off going to Ivies —so I just wanted to know, preferably, from the OOS middle income kids, how they are able to afford and why they chose U of M , etc.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
The thread has devolved into debate,so I am closing.