We've been having a lot of discussions about colleges and how to keep them from getting out of reach for poor and working-class students. I'm glad to see that Juniata College, my alma matter, is committed to remaining affordable and getting some positive press for it:

In marketing materials for the campaign, officials say the average four-year cost of attending Juniata is more than $60,000, when financial aid is factored in.

They compare it to more than $120,000 for six years at Penn State University _ a public school whose flagship campus is about 20 miles north of Juniata _ citing a study by a statewide lobbying group for independent colleges that found students at public colleges are likely to take longer to graduate.

Although Juniata's enrollment has grown over the years and currently hovers around 1,400, it is receiving fewer applications from central Pennsylvania students, Hille said. "The price tag for a private school appears to be so high that parents are automatically ruling it out," Hille said.

Most of our discussions have focused on what the state can do to make college more affordable. And that is certainly part of the picture. However, it's important to note that the private sector can do a lot to improve the situation as well.