Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education | https://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/cardona.html#:~:text=Miguel%20A.,in%20the%20mainland%20United%20States.
Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education | https://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/cardona.html#:~:text=Miguel%20A.,in%20the%20mainland%20United%20States.
Data shows that students paid $15,030 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $502 more than the previous school year.
Among the four institutions in the county, Saint Martin's University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $42,220. Fosbre Academy of Hair Design followed with an average of $18,475 per year. South Puget Sound Community College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $4,995.
At the time, at least $12.6 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Thurston County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $2.3 million.
Currently there are four higher education institutions in Thurston County, including Saint Martin's University, Fosbre Academy of Hair Design, and South Puget Sound Community College.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Martin's University | 243 | $8,201,425 | $33,751 | 178 | $1,429,226 | $8,029 |
| South Puget Sound Community College | 300 | $2,064,209 | $6,881 | 44 | $246,093 | $5,593 |
| Fosbre Academy of Hair Design | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| The Evergreen State College | 224 | $2,302,372 | $10,278 | 115 | $651,722 | $5,667 |
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