Here are a few other revelations by US[pop]A Tod[pop]ay:

In 2003, students paid an average of just 27% of the official tuition price at four-year public universities when grants and tax breaks are counted. Students at private universities paid an average of 57%. …

?Average tuition paid at public universities fell 32% from $1,636 in the 1997-98 academic year to $1,115 in 2002-03. During that time, the published tuition price rose 18% to an average of $4,202. About three-fourths of the nation’s 12 million college students attend public institutions.

?Total costs for tuition and room and board were flat at $6,794 at public schools from 1998 to 2003.

?Average tuition paid at private universities rose 7% over five years to an average of $10,684 in 2003, less than the 20% increase in published tuition prices.

Congress has approved eight tax breaks for college education since 1997. Last year, these tax benefits saved families more than $7 billion. Key benefits:

?6.5 million families got tuition tax credits that reduced taxes an average of $1,350 per return.

?3.5 million received a tuition tax deduction that saved an average of $325 in income taxes.