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College Was Much More Affordable After WWII

Right after WWII, college became something many more people could afford. The GI Bill gave veterans money for school, and states helped build more colleges. As a result, millions of people—especially veterans—went to college and often paid much less than we do today.

1. 

The GI Bill helped pay for college

The GI Bill, passed in 1944, paid veterans up to $500 a year for tuition, fees, books, and offered a $50 monthly allowance for living expenses—making college much more affordable for many people.

_ Source: “Veterans who pursued a college degree could receive up to $500 per year for tuition, fees, and books, along with a $50 monthly living expense allowance…”_

[Conor Lennon paper on the GI Bill] (https://www.conorjlennon.com/JEH%20GI%20Bill.pdf)

2. 

Many veterans enrolled in college

Nearly 8 million veterans used GI Bill benefits to go to college—this was far more than anyone expected and showed how affordable it had become.

_ Source: “Almost 8 million enrolled—nearly half of all returning veterans.”_

[Saturday Evening Post – History of college cost] (https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2022/01/the-history-of-the-high-cost-of-college/)

3. 

States helped by expanding college campuses

States added their own money to reduce costs and build more schools. Thanks to this, colleges could handle all the new students and keep education affordable.

_ Source: “States … added their own financial support to expand campuses and facilities.”_

[Saturday Evening Post – History of college cost] (https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2022/01/the-history-of-the-high-cost-of-college/)

4. 

More colleges were built quickly

Between 1861 and 1943, the U.S. averaged 18 new colleges per year. After the GI Bill, that number jumped to 32 new colleges per year, making college more available and affordable for students across the nation.

_ Source: “Between 1861 and 1943, the mean founding rate for colleges was 18 colleges a year, but after the G.I. Bill, the founding rate rose to 32 per year.”_

[ERIC Education Report] (https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED449721)

Middle School Summary

Right after WWII, college became something many more people could afford. The GI Bill gave veterans money for school, and states helped build more colleges. As a result, millions of people—especially veterans—went to college and often paid much less than we do today.

Copyable References with Hyperlinks

• Conor Lennon – GI Bill benefits https://www.conorjlennon.com/JEH%20GI%20Bill.pdf
• Saturday Evening Post – College affordability https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2022/01/the-history-of-the-high-cost-of-college/
• ERIC – College founding rates after WWII https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED449721

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