October 21, 2005

How Much Is Too Much?

By JEFFREY SELINGO

Soaring costs have driven the price of colleges like Bates above $40,000, but officials worry that at some point people will no longer pay

This fall, Bates College reluctantly joined a small but growing group of institutions reaching a significant milestone: Its annual price tag passed the $40,000 mark — $42,100, to be exact.

At least 75 other colleges, all private, now charge $40,000 or more a year for tuition, fees, room, and board. Plenty of colleges still charge a

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