<p>The most common statistics I have seen are that the median average for a full-time employed American is $33,000 and that the median household income is $54,000. “Median” does not equal “average,” it refers to the most common. Of course living expenses vary greatly, as do taxes, from state to state (and situation to situation). </p>
<p>OP. I agree, if your parents have to come up with that amount of cash for tuition, it is a bitter pill! Great for your family that your sibling found a good solution. You have rec’d some good advice (Posse, merit awards, in-state) and there are excellent threads on this website about merit awards. Please let us know how it goes and good luck.</p>