At Some California Colleges, Poorer Families Bear Greatest Burden
The surprising trend is playing out at many Bay Area schools, especially private universities, but the University of California is a notable exception.
At Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, the total bill for low-income freshmen — including housing, meals and books — rose 60 percent in three years to $26,100, on average, even after subtracting scholarships and grants. For wealthier students, that net cost grew by 6 percent.