re: How much does it really cost to go to LSU?

My daughter will start LSU in the Fall of 2017 with Honors TOPS. I have 30k in a college fund and she (unknown to her) has about 5k in a savings account. I'm guessing to come out of pocket at some point in her third year maybe. I think eventually I will have three kids starting there in five years so it could be pricey if I don't get the living arrangements down.

It can still be done post-Jindal. Like you said, you just bave to want it. In this last year ive managed to pay my entire tuition out of pocket, live in a decent place, and buy a nice car.

My number one thing ive learned from LSU is people's priorities are so messed up. I've had to work 40-60 hrs a week to make ends meet, but when I am out ill have a meaningful STEM degree and 0 student loans. Hell, my car will be paid off and I will have literally 0 debt to boot.

This semester was 4995 full time with a parking pass and fees in that number. TOPS covered 3800 which was the baselime tuition. Fees and parking are not covered by TOPS.

A dorm room is 3600 a semester and the smallest meal plan is 1200$ for 12 meals a week and 600 paw points to eat in the union.

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I always got a good laugh when I'd read how dentists come out of school $150K in debt or ridiculous numbers like that.

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Well the cost of post-grad school has skyrocketed since your time 25+ years ago. Far outpacing inflation.

Graduated in 2008. I had the lowest level of tops. It took me 4.5 years to graduate so I had to essentially pay for my last semester. Grand total for all 4.5 years was about $15k (including books and fees). I lived at home all 4 plus years and my parents paid for my food. Walked out of school debt free making $67k per year.

More than it's worth

So based on your numbers:
Fees/ parking pass 1,200
Dorm 3,600
Meal plan 1,200

Let's say books are 500 ( which may be low).

You are looking at 6,500 a semester. Times that by 8= 52,000

Wow. Over 50k to go to a PUBLIC school WITH TOPS!

Looks like if you are living at home you can do Fees and books for about 2k a semester if you have TOPS

I looked at going to Auburn for a specialized degree, and they want $42k/yr for out of state students. That is just tuition....nothing else.

When I was at UNO in the mid-'80s, it was around $400 when I started and around high $700s when I finished 3 years later. I was on a Top10 scholarship, so they covered my tuition plus gave me around $900 per semester. I would just literally go to the bursar's office and they's hand me a check. UNO paid for my car stereo and rims for my Mustang.