College Costs

You know you want to go to college. But are you ready to pay for it? There are a lot of expenses to consider. Don’t find yourself unprepared. Instead, get the answers to these important questions.

Q: Tuition and fees are expensive, right?

A: Tuition and fees range in cost depending on where you choose to attend school. Consider the cost differences between attending college in state or out of state, a community college or a four-year university. You can control your out-of-pocket costs through your choice of schools.

     Remember that tuition isn’t static—the costs can change each year. Keep tabs on any cost increases to avoid surprises.

Q: Are room and board costs in addition to tuition?

A: Yes. But you can choose how much to spend. Room costs depends on whether you live on campus, rent an apartment alone or with friends or live at home. Board refers to another highly variable but vital expense: food. You can pick a meal plan to fit your budget and hunger needs.

Q: Are the books and supplies free, like in high school?

A: No. You will be expected to purchase books and supplies for each class you take. And they aren’t cheap. In fact, their cost may be one of the biggest shocks to your budget.

Q: Do I need to buy a computer?

A: Some schools will require that you purchase a PC and Internet access. Some programs will give you a laptop to use while you’re in school. But most campuses have easy-to-access computer labs with enough computers to meet your needs. Make sure you know where all the labs are in case the one you frequent is full.

Q: What should I expect as far as transportation costs are concerned?

A: Costs can range from bus or subway fares to cross-country airfare. This is definitely one area to give some serious thought. Can you afford a car? Sure it would be nice to have that luxury, but don’t forget the incidental expenses like gasoline, insurance and parking fees. If you are considering going to college in a different state, think about how often you can afford to come home. This may affect your choice of schools.

Q: What else?

A: The cost of going to college includes a long list of expenses, many of which can be controlled to some extent. You can save yourself from devastating surprises if you do your research well. Be sure you understand and compare the fixed expenses for each school you are considering so you know exactly what you must prepare for. You don’t want to have to delay your education because you didn’t have all the facts about the cost of attending college.

Adding it up

Wonder how much you’ll have to save for college? Here’s a look at the average admissions and first-year fees you’ll pay if you attend a public, in-state university.

Tuition: $3,900 a year

Books and supplies: $550 a semester

Room: $2,513

Board: $2,402

Misc. (Weekend entertainment, shopping and late-night snacks): $1,300 a year

Transportation: $20 a week for gas: $760/year

Cell phone: $45 a month: $540/year

Car insurance: $800 a year

Parking tickets: 2 a year at $25 each: $50

Total per year: $13,365

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