<p>Is it a good idea to do the USC pre payment plan? It locks the tuition for four years at the same price. Is it likely that tuition goes up?</p>
<p>The downside to this payment plan is that you pay it all at the same time of course.</p>
<p>Like medical costs, tuition seems to be immune to the economy. I believe over the last five years tuition hikes have been between 3-7% annually. So if you believe that this trend will continue and/or you believe you can get an after tax rate of return greater than the projected hikes…</p>
<p>They explain this to the parents who attend orientation. Like Vinceh said, tuition has tended to rise 3-7%, so if you are FULL pay and your investments earn less than this amount, this would make sense for you. They do not allow you to adjust for scholarships— for example, if you are a Dean’s/Pres scholar, you’d still have to pay FULL tuition and wait until your time frame is over (2,3,4 years-- you select how many to prepay) to get excess money back.</p>
<p>I am a Dean’s scholar, so I would have to pay full costs and then get excess money back after graduation? I don’t know if it is worth it.</p>
<p>And is tuition tending to rise 3-7% over 4 years or after every year?</p>
<p>^^ yes. You would get a refund after the period of time you selected (could be 2 years, 3 years, 4years). Tuition rises 3-7% per year.</p>