Always Invite Kids to the College Money Table

When it comes to college planning, a mind is a terrible thing to waste—and, these days, an expensive thing to educate. With the average US college bill now topping $38,000 per year (Education Data Initiative), it’s no wonder nearly half of students say cost is their #1 factor when choosing a school (per Fidelity’s 2025 study). And there, in the heart of family money talks, is where advisors can do their best work—not just with parents, but with the students themselves.

Too often, kids start out fairly nonchalant about the numbers—until they actually see them. Suddenly, dreams of out-of-state glory or a “name brand” degree shrink next to a calculator’s cold arithmetic. As I told The Daily Upside, sometimes our job is delivering the uncomfortable truth: “I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same for my own family if the numbers don’t work.” College, as much as we’d all like it to be a fairy tale decision, is also a business decision. And sometimes the happiest ending is trading a dream school for decades less debt.

The good news? Families have options. Tried-and-true 529s, “merit aid hunting” (thank you, Alvin Carlos), considering community colleges, and—above all—making these decisions with eyes (and spreadsheets) wide open. Including your kids in the journey turns an emotional leap into a grounded plan, and ensures everyone understands both the costs and the opportunities at stake.

Bottom line: The smartest move isn’t chasing fantasy, but bringing the whole family to the table and facing the numbers together. If you’re ready to hunt for the best path to higher education—without mortgaging the future—let’s connect.