When Cedric Larson started his undergraduate program five years ago, he figured he would be able to cover the costs with scholarships, grants and part-time employment and avoid incurring any student debt. But, by the time he graduated this past spring with a degree in English and international studies, his undergraduate tuition at the UW-Madison had skyrocketed by 69%. He had to start borrowing. His current debt load: about $10,000.
“I learned to cut corners,” he says. “I bought used books at book swaps, and I tried not to borrow any more than was necessary.