Is tuition per year, or is it per semester? How much is tuition per year if I’m a part-time student? Whether you’re an undergraduate student or graduate student, you might have questions about paying for college. The cost of attendance in college can get quite expensive, so you must always be informed before making any decisions.
How much college costs can vary based on the number of credit hours you take, additional course fees, whether you’re getting a graduate or undergraduate degree, and where you live. There are a lot of factors you need to be aware of. In this article, we’ll cover the average college tuition cost in the United States and how to pay for it per year.
What Is Tuition?
Tuition is the price charged by a postsecondary educational institution for teaching and instructional services. Tuition is usually charged per credit and must be paid by students or their parents or financial sponsors. Sometimes, tuition is per year or per semester, and you should check with your school to make sure you’re looking at the right numbers.
However, tuition isn’t the full cost of a college degree program. There are also indirect costs, mandatory student fees, and optional fees like a meal plan or on-campus housing. Incoming students should always check with the financial aid office to make sure costs are clear.
What Is Undergraduate Tuition?
Undergraduate tuition is the cost charged to students at the bachelor’s or associate’s degree level. The cost of tuition per undergraduate student can vary depending on a lot of factors, such as whether they’re in-state vs out-of-state students or full-time vs part-time students.
What Is Graduate Tuition?
Graduate tuition is the college tuition for students studying at the graduate level, such as those enrolled in a master’s degree program or a PhD program. Some PhD programs cost more on average than master’s degree programs, though this varies a lot from school to school. Some graduate programs pay for grad students’ tuition and hire them as research or teaching assistants.
Is Tuition Per Year or Semester?
Tuition can be listed per year or per semester, and it depends on the educational institution. The majority of universities, like Harvard University and the University of Michigan, list their tuition costs per year. However, some schools list their tuition per semester or term. Make sure you read tuition costs carefully so you know if the price of tuition is per year or semester.
Is Tuition Per Year or Total?
Tuition is calculated per year, so any number you see is not the total cost of the program unless otherwise indicated. This is because not all students take the same amount of time to complete a program, and tuition rates change from year to year because of fee increases.
You can use a tuition price calculator or calculate for yourself an estimate of the cost for the full program. Simply multiply your annual tuition cost by the expected number of years it takes to graduate.
How Much Is College Tuition Per Year?
College tuition per year can range from as low as $3,500 to over $30,000 per year. The key factors are whether you attend a private or public school, the level of degree you’re pursuing, and whether you qualify for in-state tuition. Your personal expenses and indirect costs should also play a role in your college budget.
How Much Is Tuition Per Year for Undergraduates?
Average tuition and fees per year for undergraduate students can range from $3,501 per year to $32,825 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The average costs for each type of institution that offers undergraduate programs are:
- All Institutions: $13,677 per year
- Private 4-Year: $32,825 per year
- Public 4-Year: $9,375 per year
- Private 2-Year: $15,474 per year
- Public 2-Year: $3,501 per year
How Much Is Tuition Per Year for Graduate Students?
The average tuition per year for graduate students ranges from $12,410 to $19,792 per year in 2019-2020, according to NCES. Remember, these are averages across all graduate degree levels and all subjects. One major factor in graduate degree tuition cost is whether the school is public or private.
- All Institutions: $19,792 per year
- Private: $26,597 per year
- Public: $12,410 per year
How Much Does College Cost?
College in the US costs an average of $13,677 per year for undergraduates and $19,792 per year for grad students. The cost of tuition is much lower at two-year schools, community colleges, and public universities for in-state students. The most expensive colleges are four-year private universities, which cost an average of $32,825 per year.
Other Components of College Costs
There are also many other components to consider when talking about how much college costs. Your personal expenses like school supplies, housing, food, utilities, and transportation costs are all college costs that are not included in tuition and fees. In the next section, we’ll go into more detail about additional college costs.
Lodging
Lodging is one of the primary costs you have to consider while in college. Lodging includes rent and utility costs. Make sure that you choose the right place to live, balancing comfort and affordability. You may also choose to live in on-campus housing, but it can be more expensive than living off-campus. On-campus housing sometimes includes a mandatory meal plan.
Food
Your food costs will add up over two to four years of college, so make sure to manage your eating budget. A great way to lower your food costs is to learn how to cook. Cooking can also be a relaxing activity that acts as a study break, but it does take more time to purchase, prep, and cook whole ingredients compared to buying prepared food.
Books and Supplies
Your books and supplies will also add to your college costs. It is usually not a part of the calculated total tuition and fees per year provided on most school websites. Make sure to factor this in when calculating your total college annual cost. Look for used books that are still in good condition or buy the online version for a less expensive option.
Transportation Costs
Whether you are studying in your hometown or five states away, you’ll have some transportation costs. Make sure to include the cost of traveling to your school both for relocating for the semester and getting to class every day in your college budget. If you plan to use a car, appropriately budget for gas and estimated maintenance costs.
Additional Student Fees
Any additional student fees vary for each individual department in a college. For example, if you’re a computer science student, you may have additional fee charges for software costs. Software costs may also apply to online degree program students. Check what fees you might owe, such as late registration fees, because they can add up to thousands of dollars per year.
How Much Does College Cost for the Average Undergraduate?
The average cost of attendance for the average undergraduate is $25,910 per year, according to NCES. This figure includes tuition, fees, lodging, and dining for full-time students living in on-campus housing. Here is a breakdown of these factors:
- Average Cost of Attendance: $25,910 per year
- Average Tuition and Fees: $13,677 per year
- Average Cost of Lodging: $6,897 per year
- Average Dining Cost: $5,335 per year
How to Pay for College
Some of the most popular ways to pay for college are academic scholarships, federal need-based grants, tuition payment plans, and student loans. You don’t have to pick just one of these payment methods. You should use any opportunity you can to lessen your actual tuition cost.
Fill Out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
All college students should fill out the FAFSA while in undergraduate or graduate school to learn what federal financial aid they’re eligible for based on their financial need. You can get federal grants and low-interest student loans that do need to be paid back. Schools will usually ask you to fill out the FAFSA during the admissions process.
Apply for Other Forms of Financial Aid
Other forms of financial aid can help lessen your actual tuition costs, such as private grants and academic scholarships. You can get grants and scholarships from your school or from industry groups and non-profits that want to help a specific group of students. There is also need-based financial aid for low-income families and merit-based aid for high-achieving students.
Use a Tuition Payment Plan
A tuition payment plan gives students the ability to pay for the cost of classes in smaller monthly installments rather than one large upfront payment. Tuition payment plans vary a lot from school to school, but overall they are a good fit for working students who will earn money while in school.
How Much Is Tuition Per Year at Popular US Schools?
| School | Type of Institution | Undergraduate Tuition | Graduate Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | Private | $62,680 | $7,835 |
| Princeton University | Private | $57,410 | $57,410 |
| Rice University | Private | $54,100 | $38,250 |
| Stanford University | Private | $57,693 | $56,487 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Public | In-state: $13,804 Out-of-state: $31,026 |
In-state: $18,143 Out-of-state: $33,245 |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Public | In-state: $13,104 Out-of-state: $44,166 |
In-state: $12,852 Out-of-state: $27,954 |
| University of Columbia | Private | $65,524 | $14,088 |
| University of Florida | Public | In-state: $6,380 Out-of-state: $28,658 |
In-state: $12,744 Out-of-state: $30,138 |
| University of Michigan | Public | In-state: $8,202 Out-of-state: $27,501 |
In-state: $12,947 Out-of-state: $26,062 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Public | In-state: $7,019 Out-of-state: $35,580 |
In-state: $5,276 Out-of-state: $14,422 |
Paying for College on a Budget: 5 Ways to Save Money
There are many ways to save money while paying for college beyond finding the lowest tuition. You can save a lot of money by having good money habits, living a low-cost lifestyle, and using student discounts and campus amenities. Below, we go into more detail about five good ways to lower your expenses in college.
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Make Use of All Campus Amenities
Chances are, your university has student services like gyms, counseling, and even movie nights. You pay for these services through your student fees, so use these amenities. There are also student clubs that offer free food and shirts at their events, so make sure to read the campus announcements.
Take Advantage of Free Activities
Many recreational activities cost money, whether it’s a trip to the movie theater or a wine and paint night. Fortunately, there are usually free or inexpensive alternatives. Instead of going out to a movie, host a movie night in the student lounge. For a celebratory meal, invite friends to bring a dish to share to a local park, rather than having a meal at a restaurant.
Buy Used Textbooks
Your textbooks are one of the most important things in college, but you don’t have to buy them brand new. You can buy used textbooks or rent textbooks. In some cases, you’ll have the option to rent an online textbook. It costs less than buying, but you’ll lose access to the textbook at the end of the semester.
Cook Your Own Food
Cooking your own food is usually less expensive than eating at a restaurant or ordering takeout. By cooking your own food, you reduce the amount of money you spend. However, some colleges require students to buy an expensive meal plan, especially if they live on campus. Watch out for meal plan requirements before you commit to a school.
Use Student Discounts
Bring your student ID everywhere because tons of establishments offer student discounts. Whether you’re buying furniture, appliances, or food or going to a movie or museum, there’s always the possibility of a student discount. Make it a habit to ask about student discounts when you make a purchase.
Is the Average College Tuition in America Worth the Investment?
Yes, the average college tuition in America is worth the investment if you pick a high-paying major, study hard, and use your opportunities wisely. Bachelor’s degree holders earn 63 percent more than people with only a high school diploma or GED, and graduate degree holders earn 17 percent more than bachelor’s degree holders.
A college degree is worth the cost, but only if you pick your school wisely. Compare tuition between your dream school and a public school you can attend as an in-state student. You can also save money on tuition by going to an inexpensive community college for your associate degree and transferring to a more expensive four-year school for your bachelor’s degree.
College Tuition FAQ
No, total college tuition is not hard to calculate as long as you know all the important factors, such as how many credits you’ll take per semester and how many semesters you’ll need to take. Some colleges have a tuition calculator on their website to make it even more convenient for students to calculate an estimated tuition cost.
No, total college tuition is usually not more expensive for graduate schools. College tuition tends to have a higher per credit hour rate at graduate schools, but grad students take fewer credit hours per semester. Also, many graduate students in STEM fields have their tuition paid by the school if they participate in a research or teaching assistantship.
Yes, college tuition is much more expensive for an out-of-state student at a public university. This is because in-state residents pay taxes which help fund public universities. Private schools typically offer the same tuition rate whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. International students pay a higher tuition rate at both public and private schools.
Yes, college tuition is more expensive than any other educational level. All K-12 students in the US have the right to attend elementary school, middle school, and high school for free. Online college students may not have to spend as much, but college is definitely the most expensive level of education.
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