[originaltext] Today we answer a question from a listener in Colombia. John

Today we answer a question from a listener in Colombia. John Anderson wants to know the costs of undergraduate and graduate study in the United States. Well, the first thing to know is that prices are different from school to school. Private colleges and universities generally cost more than public ones.(33)Another thing to keep in mind is that not all students pay a school’s "published price". Financial aid and scholarships may reduce the cost. Here are a few numbers for this school year from the College Board organization. The average published price for undergraduate study at a four-year public college was about $7 000.(34)That was for students from "in state". Students from other states as well as international students paid an average of more than $ 18 000. This is the bad news—international students often have to pay the highest prices. And these averages were only for tuition and fees. Food, housing, books and supplies can add 10-12 thousand dollars a year. Many students save money by starting their education at a two-year public college, also known as a community college. The average tuition this year was about $ 2 500.(35)Costs for graduate study in the United States also differ from school to school, and even from program to program. Here too, public universities charge more for out-of-state tuition. American students often have to take out loans to help pay for their education. President Obama recently signed into law a bill that changes the student loan system.
33. What can a student do to reduce school’s published price?
34. What can we learn about the published price for undergraduates?
35. What can we learn about the cost of graduate studies?