A few months ago, Rebecca Gottlieb faced a difficult choice: continue on at her $50,000-a-year private school in Massachusetts, or leave her new friends and life and enroll at a cheaper school near home in Washington.

Gottlieb, 19, decided to transfer, dumping Tufts University for Western Washington University and joining the growing numbers of college students realizing that attending their dream school was no longer financially sustainable.

One of the great accomplishments of this country is its system of widespread, accessible and affordable public colleges and universities. In the current economic climate, the affordable part is assuming ever-greater importance.
The AP reported on one student, Rebecca Gottlieb, 19, who left Tufts University and its $50,000-a-year annual cost and transferred from the Boston area school to Western Washington University. The school is both closer to home and, at $15,000 a year, significantly cheaper.

A few months ago, Rebecca Gottlieb faced a difficult choice: continue on at her $50,000-a-year private school in Massachusetts, or leave her new friends and life and enroll at a cheaper school near home in Washington.

Gottlieb, 19, decided to transfer, dumping Tufts University for Western Washington University and joining the growing numbers of college students realizing that attending their dream school was no longer financially sustainable.

A little-noticed measure passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor will extend in-state tuition rates at Washington state colleges and universities to foreign professionals at companies such as Microsoft and Amazon, as well as to their children and spouses.

Western Washington University track and cross country coach Pee Wee Halsell announced the signing of three high school athletes on Tuesday, June 23, including two that won state championships last spring.