Why is college unaffordable for many Americans beyond tuition?

College isn’t just about paying for classes, it’s also about hidden costs, like a cake that has extra sprinkles you didn't expect.

Imagine you're baking a cake for your birthday, and you only count the cost of flour, sugar, and eggs. But then you forget to add the price of the frosting, the candles, and even the plates you’ll use to serve it on. That’s like college, you think you’re just paying for tuition, but there are other things that make the total much bigger.

• Books: They're like extra ingredients in your cake. Some cost as much as a small toy.
• Room and board: That’s like renting a special playhouse where you live while you bake your cake, it costs more than just snacks.
• Transportation: It's like having a little car to take you from one part of the playground to another, every day.

These extra things pile up, and before you know it, college feels like buying a giant cake with all the toppings, and that’s why it can feel really expensive! College isn’t just about paying for classes, it’s also about hidden costs, like a cake that has extra sprinkles you didn't expect.

Imagine you're baking a cake for your birthday, and you only count the cost of flour, sugar, and eggs. But then you forget to add the price of the frosting, the candles, and even the plates you’ll use to serve it on. That’s like college, you think you’re just paying for tuition, but there are other things that make the total much bigger.