Lavinia Kerr writes that college is not cheap.

I understand that $1820 is a lot of money, but let's look at what students get for that price.

Most students have about 450 hours of classes a year. In other words tuition is under four dollars per class hour. Plus, all teachers hold office hours in which they meet with students one-on-one, and most teachers will respond to emails within hours. Of course, there's all the preparation and marking time which students rarely consider. Not to mention that the teachers are professionals, often with advanced degrees.

On top of that, students have the run of the gym, the library, counseling services, high-speed internet access and a myriad of other benefits, all for $4 per class hour.

And that's not cheap? How about daycare for that price? No? A membership at the gym or golf club? A movie?

Try running a car for 450 hours including gas, repairs, insurance and depreciation for $1820.

Let's face it: $1820 is a lot of money. But, for what you get, college is dirt cheap.

Brett Reynolds

Caledon