The Value Of An Educated Brain: $100,000

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday March 29, 2008

By KATELIN MCINERNEY

DOMINIC Gralton's brain will be worth $100,000 by 2012, according to the University Costs Calculator.

It estimates Dominic's unusual double-degree combination of engineering and journalism will leave him with a $60,000 HECS debt and - since he will be living at home while studying - set his parents back a cool $6502 in grocery bills.

Dominic's tuition fees and his associated costs like textbooks are listed at $7502, computer costs and internet usage ($5335) and public transport ($6502).

Then there are medical bills, utilities like electricity and water and entertainment expenses.

While the 18-year-old joked the online calculator was probably a bit on the conservative side with the grocery bills, he reckoned the results it gave for tuition fees and textbooks were on the money.

"It's a big step up from high school, where you just went to the library and borrowed books, but my textbooks for this year weren't too bad, between $60 to $100 each," he said.

"But I know some of my mates have spent $1200 on medical textbooks for first semester alone."

Dominic works about eight hours a week for his father's occupational health and safety company, which pays for his mobile phone, entertainment and some petrol for the family car he drives to university.

And he has found an enterprising way to save on parking fees - he and some mates park at a friend's Mt Ousley residence and walk.

"We get to catch up and save money, which is good if you're a student," he said.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home