
A UMass Dartmouth Degree Can Result In Deep Student Debt
With all the talk about student debt forgiveness these days, it was inevitable that someone would compile a list of some of the Massachusetts colleges and universities and how much it might cost to earn a degree at one of them.
I'm glad someone else did it because it saves me time by not having to do research.
The Boston Herald ran a piece Thursday listing the tuition, fees, room and board at 15 Massachusetts schools, including the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
It ain't cheap.
The Herald says the cost of a four-year education at UMass Dartmouth will set an in-state student back $31,347, noting "those totals do not include the cost of books, supplies, personal expenses, transportation, health insurance and more."
The UMass campus at Lowell appears to have the lowest cost for a four-year ride, while the Boston campus is the highest.
The plan to "forgive" some student debt has sparked an intense debate around the nation. Some believe that doing so without reforming the cost associated with the higher education system makes little sense.
Waiving some student debt in this manner has critics on both sides of the political spectrum. According to State House News Service, Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker opposes the loan relief plan, as does Democrat Congressman Jake Auchincloss, whose district includes Fall River.
Both U.S. senators from Massachusetts -- Democrats Elizabeth Warren, and Ed Markey -- favor debt forgiveness.
Holly Robichaud, founder of Tuesday Associates, a Massachusetts-based political consulting firm specializing in campaign strategy, tells me this issue will figure prominently in the upcoming midterm elections and could hurt officer holders who support debt forgiveness.
What do you think?