Government must help

My daughter is currently a senior in college. Each year the cost of tuition has risen at least 6 percent. I understand that salaries need to be paid and paying utilities is difficult. President Obama wants people to stay in school but how is that suppose to happen? In reality, most kids want to go to college but can't afford it. Instead of bailing out the big banks so that they can pay bonuses to top execs, maybe the president should help defray college costs for the working class. Every international student I've met is amazed at how much we pay for tuition compared to their country.

SANDRA BRYANT, Haverhill

Lower expectations

Immediately after World War II, hundred of thousands of discharged military, including myself, went off to college under the GI Bill of Rights. This was a very exciting time and a good thing for the country as it essentially changed the face of America. At that time, most young people did not go to college, but got jobs in the manufacturing industries, which were plentiful. Today times have changed and it is almost essential to get higher education, but today's costs are staggering and not helped by reported million dollar salaries of college presidents. Students: Rein in some of your expectations. Think local schools or community colleges, which offer great educations. Good luck to all!

JIM CASSIDY, Bradford

Control costs

Here are some steps to control college costs. Publicly print a cost item analysis on the tuition charges. Pay particular attention to salaries; they are the big ticket items.

Print the salary schedules of professors and their number of classes and the actual lessons they will deliver. List the teacher-pupil ratios for each offering. List the cost saving methods you are using to reduce costs. Pay particular attention to energy costs, maintenance of buildings etc. List the anticipated tuition costs for the next four years.

There are at least 50 other suggestions. We have used up our allotment.

NORMA AND KEN SEIFERT, Andover

Way too much

I think $51,000 a year for tuition is way too much. Fewer young people will be able to attend and in the end the colleges will lose money. It does not make sense to think the more you pay the better the education.

VIOLA HAYNES, Methuen

Web poll results

Some Massachusetts colleges now charge more than $50,000 a year tuition. Is that reasonable?

Yes, higher education is a great value — 6.25%

No, it is too much to expect people to pay — 93.75%

208 votes counted.