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Rick Perry’s count of $10,000 college degrees

Annelise Schuessler adjusts the cap and gown of fellow graduate Garrett Dee at the May commencement celebration at the University of Texas at Austin, an institution not listed among those with $10,000 degrees. (Andy Sharp, for Austin American-Statesman). Annelise Schuessler adjusts the cap and gown of fellow graduate Garrett Dee at the May commencement celebration at the University of Texas at Austin, an institution not listed among those with $10,000 degrees. (Andy Sharp, for Austin American-Statesman).

Annelise Schuessler adjusts the cap and gown of fellow graduate Garrett Dee at the May commencement celebration at the University of Texas at Austin, an institution not listed among those with $10,000 degrees. (Andy Sharp, for Austin American-Statesman).

By W. Gardner Selby June 4, 2013

Can $10,000 college degrees be arranged in Texas?

Yes, but there are often hoops, hurdles and catches to that.

So we found after checking Gov. Rick Perry’s claim in a May press release that said: "The governor has renewed his challenge for institutions to offer bachelor's degrees for $10,000 or less, including books. So far, 13 institutions have announced or implemented a $10,000 degree."

Perry first called for such degrees in his Feb. 8, 2011, state-of-the-state address. Public skepticism included a claim from the chairman of the Travis County Democratic Party that "nobody in higher education believes that is even possible," which we rated False, finding not only disagreement but existing $10,000 degrees in Texas and elsewhere.

See our work, to the right.

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Rick Perry’s count of $10,000 college degrees