The average U.S. college cost of attendance has been rising each year since 20 some years ago.  The article below was originally published on LendEdu.com, who gave us permission to repost the blog article for our readers.   Here is the college cost of attendance in 2018.

Note:
1. American students and international students can refer to the cost for “Private 4-year Not-for-Profit” and the cost for “Public 4-year Out-of-state” colleges and universities.
2. An American student whose family resides in a particular state and pays taxes to the state can also refer to the cost for a “Public 4-year In-state.”


Author: Dave Rathmanner, LendEdu.com, 2018

No one is surprised to hear that the average cost of college has continually increased over time. No matter whether you attend a public or private school, or whether you attend a 2-year or 4-year college, you can expect to pay more than those who attended before you.

By checking out the graph to the right (which does​ not account for inflation) you can see that in the past 20 years, tuition at all types of colleges has more than doubled, and in some cases has more than tripled.
Though the graph does not account for inflation, the rate of tuition increase has greatly outpaced the inflation rate – by at least 3 times for most school types.

Though this increase in the average cost of college is unwelcomed by most, it is important to be aware of the current figures so you can compare the costs for schools that you are considering.

Read on to see the average cost of college by school type including tuition, room & board, books & supplies, transportation, and other expenses, as well as the rate of increase in price and the average financial aid received.


Average Cost of College Statistics by Type

The following is the average cost-of-attendance for the 2017-18 school year by school type including tuition & fees, room & board, books & supplies, transportation, and any other expenses.

 


Private 4-Year Not-for-Profit Colleges & Universities

Cost of Attendance

  • Tuition & Fees: $34,740
  • Room & Board: $12,210
  • Books & Supplies: $1,220
  • Transportation: $1,030
  • Other Expenses: $1,700
  • Total Cost: $50,900

Rate of Increase in Price

  • Rate of Tuition Increase: 6.4%
  • Rate of Net Price Increase: 5.3%

Average Financial Aid Received

  • Grants & Scholarships: $20,090
 

Public 4-Year Out-of-State Colleges & Universities

Cost of Attendance
  • Tuition & Fees: $25,620
  • Room & Board: $10,800
  • Books & Supplies: $1,250
  • Transportation: $1,170
  • Other Expenses: $2,100
  • Total Cost: $40,940

Rate of Increase in Price

  • Rate of Tuition Increase: 7.2%
  • Rate of Net Price Increase: 4.7%

Average Financial Aid Received

  • Grants & Scholarships: $7,060


Public 4-Year In-State Colleges & Universities

Cost of Attendance
  • Tuition & Fees:$9,970
  • Room & Board: $10,800
  • Books & Supplies: $1,250
  • Transportation: $1,170
  • Other Expenses: $2,100
  • Total Cost: $25,290

Rate of Increase in Price

  • Rate of Tuition Increase: 7.2%
  • Rate of Net Price Increase: 4.7%

Average Financial Aid Received

  • Grants & Scholarships: $7,060


Public 2-Year In-District Colleges & Universities

Cost of Attendance
  • Tuition & Fees:$3,570
  • Room & Board: $8,400
  • Books & Supplies: $1,420
  • Transportation: $1,780
  • Other Expenses: $2,410
  • Total Cost: $17,580

Rate of Increase in Price

  • Rate of Tuition Increase: 6.9%
  • Rate of Net Price Increase: 5.2%

Average Financial Aid Received

  • Grants & Scholarships: $5,010

 


Private For-Profit Colleges & Universities

Cost of Attendance
  • Tuition & Fees: $16,000

Rate of Increase in Price

  • Rate of Tuition Increase (4-year): 1.8%
  • Rate of Net Price Increase (4-year): 1.2%
  • Rate of Tuition Increase (2-year): 3.4%
  • Rate of Net Price Increase (2-year): 7.6%

Average Financial Aid Received

  • Grants & Scholarships: $4,400 (2-year) – $5,190 (4-year)

Note: There is less data available for for-profit colleges and universities as compared to the others listed above.


Data Sources

– CollegeBoard- Trends in Higher Education

– NCES – Disgest of Education Statistics

– U.S. Department of Education – College Affordability & Transparency Center

– U.S. News – See 20 Years of Tuition Growth

USAcollegeX.com appreciates LendEdu.com allowing us to share this informative article with our readers.  We also have similar articles dealing with the tuition spike in the U.S.   Below is our recommended reading:

1. Students Angry with USC’s Tuition Hike
2. The Hidden Costs that Colleges Would Not Tell You