February 24, 2026
The prospect of going to college can be intimidating, and for many reasons. One real and understandable concern is the cost involved in paying for a college education, but college needs to be viewed as an investment in one’s future, not just an expense. When thinking about college, it’s good to know that private colleges, such as Vaughn, may offer the largest amount of financial aid to assist qualifying students in their investment of a higher education.
In fact, within one year of graduating from Vaughn College, 96 percent of students, 80 percent in their field of study, are employed or continuing with their education. Getting the education and skills you’ll need to get the career of your dreams is an investment worth making.
Vaughn College understands that financial aid can be overwhelming and has therefore provided some facts and figures from The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities to help answer the questions you have about your college investment.
Fact: Students attending private, not-for-profit colleges in New York―which includes Vaughn College―are rarely expected to pay the full amount for all costs.
Figure: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, an estimated 90 percent of private college students receive financial aid.
Fact: Private colleges want the chance to teach deserving students! So much so, these schools provide most of―if not all―financial aid to qualified students, with any supplemental funding coming from state and federal sources.
Figures: An estimated 87 percent of financial aid is funded by private colleges. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, just over $5.5 billion was allocated to financial aid in 2016-2017.
Fact: Financial aid can cover the tuition and room and board costs for students who choose private, not-for-profit colleges.
Figure: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students receiving financial aid pay an average net price of just over $26,000 per year.
Fact: Students who benefit from financial aid to attend a private college will in fact owe more in student loans than those attending a State University of New York (SUNY) school. The difference, however, is not as great as might be expected.
Figures: According to the Institute for College Access and Success, the difference in loan debt between a private college and a SUNY school is approximately $3,500.
Fact: Student loan default rates for graduates of private colleges are lower than those for any other educational sector. It should be noted that this occurred primarily among students who did not graduate.
Figures: According to the US Department of Education, in 2017, approximately four percent of students who attended private colleges defaulted on their loans within three years. Conversely, the percentage of students from other sectors who defaulted on their loans is as follows: SUNY students―approximately 10 percent; CUNY students―approximately seven percent; for-profit college students―close to 14 percent.
The facts and figures above can provide some perspective of how college is in fact affordable and a smart investment for future success. With the exception of a fortunate 26 percent of students who do not need to borrow at all to attend a four-year college, it is nowadays a given that financial aid is not only necessary but easily available. It should be noted that only five percent of students will owe anything in the neighborhood of a six-figure sum, and those costs frequently entail post-graduate professional degrees in high-paying positions in medicine or law.
Now, let’s look at the value of a college education in contrast to a brand new automobile. Did you know the average total for a new car loan in the US is approximately $31,099? And as soon as the purchaser drives away from the sales lot, the value of that car begins to depreciate. Were you also aware that just over half the number of students who apply for financial aid to attend college owe less than $20,000 by the time they graduate? Keep in mind that the value of a college education, properly applied, can appreciate to an immeasurable value. And this reality is especially true with the futureproof programs available at Vaughn College and the graduate placement rates.
Financial aid advisers at Vaughn College and other institutions are available to tell you about a variety of scholarships, grants and programs which will help make your career goals attainable.
Contact Vaughn today or click here to learn more about the financial aid options available at Vaughn College.
