Average College Costs for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
Most people know that college tuition rates go up almost every year. But it’s critical for potential students to understand how much their college experience is really going to cost. In addition to tuition and fees, there are a plethora of other expenses that need to be included in your budget, including transportation, housing, clothing, books, supplies, and more.
While many schools provide their prospective students with information on the average cost of many of these expenses, it’s important to figure out your own budget in order to know how much college is really going to cost you. You may only be able to estimate the cost of your books and supplies, but you often have much more control over expenses like food, clothing, and personal items. You’ll need to understand that one of the most critical factors in your college budget is where you live. That’s because housing and food expenses make up the second largest portion of most students’ college budget.
Once you estimate the full cost of your college, you’ll have a better idea of how much student financial aid provided by Grants, Scholarships, and Student Loans will factor into your educational future. Below, you’ll find an infographic detailing the average cost of college for private and public schools for the 2015-2016 academic year. Use these averages to give you a starting point for understanding your potential college expenses.
