What Does It Really Cost?

In one of my college classes, taught through the high school by a University professor, we had a discussion about the cost of our "free" public education. Our professor asked us what we thought the average cost for a Utah high school student- or public school student- was. Our guesses averaged around $500. I think I can speak for the class when I say it was astonishing to learn the true average was in the thousands. This free public schooling that I have been receiving for 13 years has cost me and my parents thousands upon thousands of dollars- and I am only one of their children! The prices for class fees, sports fees, and textbooks will continue to rise each year, and the school may continue to tack on extra prices like they did when it became necessary to purchase insurance for the mandatory devices we use in class- about $25 per student per year right now.

The professor continued to show us averages for alternative forms of schooling. Private schooling is a much cheaper way to go. Even with all costs- uniforms, transportation, etc.- there is a significant decrease in the average cost of private schools from public schools.

Given all of this information, we must weigh in the fact that some states will charge less for their schools and others will charge more. There is financial aid available for students and families that are low-income or have special situations that require assistance so that their children can be properly educated. And, of course, there is always the difference in cost for programs that a student chooses to participate in. A sports fee at my school is $50 while a choir participation fee is $35.

However, all of these fees add up very quickly. As students, we are encouraged to participate in anything and everything that we possibly can. Yet almost every club has a fee between $10-$15. (When I started the French club, I purposefully stated that there would be no fee for the club because I know first hand how frustrating it is to have to pay for so many of these clubs. Yet even with my trying to make everything as free as possible, the students will still end up pitching in money to cover cost of club shirts and club activities.) All sports are $50, textbook fees are $25, choir is $35 plus a robe rental of $10 for some classes, computer insurance, standard class fees, supplies, lunch, uniforms- all of these cost.

I will say that there is one way that my school is especially great at giving me the most for my money, and that is through their partnership with the universities in our area. I am able to take as many college courses as I would like (that the university offers to high school students) and only be charged $5 a credit hour. I paid $60 at the beginning of the semester and am receiving a $3,600 education. This almost outweighs the cost of those thousands for the early years. ​