Despite a record-high U.S. stock market and a positive economic outlook, U.S. parents spent less on college tuition during the 2016-17 school year, according to Sallie Mae's 10th annual "How America Pays for College" report.
Out-of-pocket spending by parents fell to 23 percent from 29 percent of the average amount the typical family pays for college, according to a survey released Monday. That translates to about $5,527 out of the average $23,757 yearly tab.
That's the lowest dollar amount spent by parents since 2009, as well as the smallest percentage of the total tuition spent since the study started.
Much of the difference was made up by a big jump in student borrowing to 19 percent of the total, from 13 percent.
Sallie Mae's study does not directly address why parental spending fell, but there are several indicators.
"It could be price sensitivity," says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Cappex.com, a college financing resource. "Parents may be telling students, if you want to go to that more expensive school, you'll have to pay for it."
Model Budgeting
The typical family that emerges from Sallie Mae's study is not big on planning: While 9 out of 10 expect their kids to go to college, only 4 out of 10 budget for it.
But there are some bright spots, notably that 69 percent eliminated some colleges from their selections because of cost, a number that jumped from 58 percent ten years ago.
For those taking active steps, like saving in a tax-advantaged 529 plan, the road to college is a lot less bumpy.