The Maine Sunday Telegram article “College costs belie conventional wisdom” (March 22) provides students with some insights into higher education options within Maine.

Unfortunately, this limited discussion focuses only on the differences between three elite private colleges and two major public institutions.

As a result, the reader is left with the false impression that these are the only options available. Nothing is further from the truth.

Within Maine, both the public sector, with additional campuses and a community college system, and the private sector, with seven additional colleges and universities, offer students a rich array of alternatives. As Husson University’s president, I am proud to say that we offer a quality education at the most affordable, four-year private institution of higher learning in Maine accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Almost 80 percent of our students come from Maine, and over 45 percent of our students are Pell Grant-eligible, an indicator of financial need.

Our students choose to attend Husson because we have many of the same characteristics as the other universities mentioned in this article.

We offer affordable, quality education and an exceptional student experience in an academic environment that is small enough to care, and large enough to offer relevant professional majors that are in demand by today’s employers.

All of these offerings are available to students seeking an alternative to the larger state or community college systems.

Although cost is a No. 1 consideration, selecting a school is much more complex than a financial balance sheet. Finding the right learning environment, one that prepares students for their future careers, is just as critical for our future.

We need to instill an expectation that more of our graduates will seek higher education, period.

Robert A. Clark, Ph.D., CFA

president, Husson University

Bangor

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