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Real Deal

"My AP European History class was great. I felt so great about myself and what I could do. My AP class sparked my interest in history. I hope to continue this interest in college, where I'd like to major in European history."

Cindy, h.s. junior, New York

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2005-06 College Costs

Keep Rising Prices in Perspective

There's no escaping the fact that college costs are rising. According to recently released reports from the College Board, most students and their families can expect to pay, on average, from $112 to $1,190 more than last year for this year's tuition and fees, depending on the type of college.

But, there is good news. There is more financial aid available than ever before—over $129 billion. And, despite all of these college cost increases, a college education remains an affordable choice for most families.

"Sticker Price" vs. Affordability

Although some of the college price tags you hear about can be quite daunting—$30,000 or more for yearly tuition and fees—most colleges are more affordable than you might think. For example, did you know that about 60 percent of students attending four-year schools pay less than $6,000 for tuition and fees? After grants are taken into consideration, the net price the average undergraduate pays for a college education is significantly lower than the published tuition and fees. And remember, financial aid will further reduce the amount your family will actually pay.

Average College Costs 2005-06 But Did You Know That...
Four-year private $21,235 (up 5.9 percent from last year)

Four-year public $5,491 (up 7.1 percent from last year)
  • About 60 percent of students attending public four-year colleges pay less than $6,000 for tuition and fees per year.
  • Only about 2 percent of all students attend colleges where tuition and fees total $33,000 or higher per year.
Two-year public $2,191 (up 5.4 percent from last year)
  • 44 percent of all students attend two-year colleges. The average two-year public college student receives grant aid that reduces the average tuition to a net price of about $400.
Students will pay, on average, from $371 to $386 more than last year for this year's room and board, depending on the type of college.

The average surcharge for out-of-state or out-of-district students at public institutions is $4,160 at two-year colleges and $7,673 at four-year colleges.
  • A record $129 billion in financial aid is available to students and their families.
  • About 60 percent of all college students receive grant aid. In 2004-2005 grant aid averaged about $1,800 per student at two-year public colleges, over $3,300 at public four-year colleges, and about $9,600 per student at private four-year colleges.

Did you know that, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, people with a bachelor's degree earn over 62 percent more on average than those with only a high school diploma? Over a lifetime, the gap in earning potential between a high school diploma and a B.A. (or higher) is more than $1,000,000. What this boils down to is that whatever sacrifices you make for a college education in the short term are more than repaid in the long term.

Note: Cost and aid figures are from the College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2005, Trends in Student Aid 2005, and Education Pays 2005.