1862: The Cost of Education (Honolulu's Pacific Commercial Advertiser)

We thought our readers might be amused by the following story published in the Thursday, October 9, 1862 edition of Honolulu’s Pacific Commercial Advertiser.

Education costs are certainly a major issue, but as our readers will note it is nothing new. This story focuses on the cost of education in California in 1862.

The more things change the more they stay the same? :)

You be the judge:

“The Rev. Mr. Brayton, principal of the Oakland College School, says that the statement made in yesterday’s Bulletin by our correspondent “Wanderer,” are altogether unwarranted –so far as his establishment is concerned. He says, in a private note to a friend, to whom he wrote on the subject:

“The price of board in the Oakland College School, including washing and lights, is $7 per week; tuition is from $4 to $6 per month – making for 40 weeks –the school year- $320 and $340 per year as the prices, according to age, etc.

“Vacation expenses are not reckoned, as it is expected, and is preferable, that boys should be home during vacation.

“There are no “extra” charges whatsoever here, excepting for instrumental music. Vocal music, and the French, Spanish and German languages are taught to all, without additional charge for them.”