Lower costs lure U.S. college students to Canada, UK

[Judi Lynn]

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012
Lower costs lure U.S. college students to Canada, UK
By Renee Schoof - McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- More American teenagers are thinking about picking up a passport and heading abroad for their college years as a way of attending a top-rated school at a lower cost, Canadian and British college recruiters say.

More than 10,000 Americans are earning graduate and undergraduate degrees in Canada, and 15,000 are pursuing degrees in the United Kingdom. Even with extra fees for international students, colleges and universities outside the United States, in many cases, cost less than the tuition at private colleges or the out-of-state charges at public universities.

In some places, American student interest has gone up as tuition rates rise here nationwide and state spending for higher education declines. The University of British Columbia, for example, reports a 33 percent growth in U.S. applications since 2008.

Because of California’s “sagging economy” and cutbacks in public aid to higher education, “I am encouraging my students to look beyond our state’s borders, and that includes other countries, such as Canada,” said Jill Montbriand, a counselor at Rio Americano High School in Sacramento.

More:
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2012/10/30/2622248/lower-costs-lure-us-college-students.html#storylink=cpy

[enlightenment]

1. My son has done this.

A three year honours BA from Goldsmiths University, London costs less (after figuring fees/books/supplies/etc) than in-state tuition at the University of Illinois, per year - and it is a three year, not a four year program.

[supernova]

2. Would definitely be doing this

if I were college-aged now.

I still dream of doing my grad work abroad. But, I'm 50 now, and funds are slim. It's looking less and less likely.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Wish Canada would hire some American faculty.

I've been applying to Canadian universities the last couple of years, but nary a nibble.

[Aristus]

4. And the brain-drain begins...

We're losing our place as one of the prime higher education destinations in the world...

[flamingdem]

5. England was affordable until Cameron racheted up tuition

I guess it's all about where one lives, London is pricey but a smaller city might make it equivalent to US rates.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. It was thought that the increase in domestic fees would stop the hikes in foreign fees

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/8122581/David-Cameron-admits-tuition-fees-increase-will-keep-cost-to-foreign-students-down.html

Here's what they were in 2010: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/oct/12/tuition-fees-universities

[hymkn]

7. good chance

this is a real opportunity for those who really want to study