AIE — Adventures In Education

College Students

Cost of Attendance

Don't let the cost stop you from pursuing a higher education.

So, how much does a college education cost?

That's a tough question — The answer depends on many different factors.

There's no college-cost formula that you can plug numbers into. Costs may change every semester and depend on the college or university you select.

Tuition and fees are usually combined and range from $2,000 a year to more than $20,000. Community colleges usually offer the least expensive tuition costs, but many four-year colleges and universities are also relatively inexpensive, especially for resident or in-state students.

This is about what it costs today for tuition and fees at national institutions:

Sector Tuition and Fees Books and Supplies Room and Board Trans- portation Other Expenses Total Expenses**
Two-Year Public
Resident $2,076 $773 * * * *
Commuter $2,076 $773 $5,747 $1,146 $1,608 $11,350
Four-Year Public
Resident $5,132 $853 $6,222 $774 $1,659 $14,640
Commuter $5,132 $853 $6,177 $1,109 $1,943 $15,214
Out-of-State $12,423 $853 $6,222 $774 $1,659 $21,931
Four-Year Private
Resident $20,082 $870 $7,434 $671 $1,238 $30,295
Commuter $20,082 $870 $6,617 $1,031 $1,524 $30,124

* Sample too small to provide meaningful information.

** Average total expenses include room and board costs for commuter students, which are average estimated living expenses for students living off campus but not with parents.

Source: Trends in College Pricing, College Board.

College pays off in the long run

College can be expensive, but this should not stop you from pursuing a higher education.

The money you invest in a college education will pay off in the long run. In fact, recent studies show that over the course of a person's working life, individuals with a bachelor's degree will earn $2.1 million on average — nearly twice as much as workers with only a high school diploma.

To learn more about how to finance your education, visit the following links:

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