<p>It’s hard for me to understand how many people look at “only” $40K (or fill in whatever number fits your particular situation) in student debt but consider that amount in a vacuum…as if no other expenses will exist in their world once they graduate. The whole “it’s the same amount as a car loan” argument is great…as long as you don’t need a car before the student loan gets paid off. Or need to make a rent or mortgage payment, or purchase insurance, or buy furniture, or put a little money into savings, or…you get the point.</p>
<p>If every college graduate had the luxury of moving back in with their parents rent free after finding a good paying job in the same neighborhood, there wouldn’t really be a need to ask this type of question would there? </p>
<p>I’ve said before in other threads, if our high schools want to do these kids a HUGE favor, offer a class on realistic modern living in a variety of settings (rural, suburban, urban). Teach them early on just how quickly a $40-$50K per year salary goes away after taxes and “normal” obligations get taken out. It might actually open a few eyes.</p>