How Much Does College Tuition Cost?
Updated for 2024 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does College Tuition Include?
College tuition varies dramatically between public in-state, public out-of-state, and private institutions. Total cost of attendance includes tuition, room and board, fees, books, and personal expenses.
The national average cost for college tuition is $22,000 per year. Most homeowners pay between $5,000 and $60,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
School Type
Community college: $3K-$8K/yr. Public in-state: $8K-$15K/yr. Public out-of-state: $20K-$35K/yr. Private: $35K-$60K/yr
Total Cost
Including room and board, fees, books: add $12K-$20K per year to tuition
Key Cost Factors
- ✓School type (public/private)
- ✓In-state vs out-of-state
- ✓Financial aid and scholarships
- ✓Room and board
- ✓Fees and books
- ✓Program of study
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Start at community college and transfer ($3K-$5K/year vs $10K-$30K)
- 2.Apply for every scholarship you can find
- 3.Consider in-state public universities
- 4.File FAFSA every year — even if you think you won't qualify
College Tuition Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,100 | $18,040 | $49,200 |
| Alaska | $6,400 | $28,160 | $76,800 |
| Arizona | $4,750 | $20,900 | $57,000 |
| Arkansas | $4,000 | $17,600 | $48,000 |
| California | $6,750 | $29,700 | $81,000 |
| Colorado | $5,400 | $23,760 | $64,800 |
| Connecticut | $6,100 | $26,840 | $73,200 |
| Delaware | $5,250 | $23,100 | $63,000 |
| Florida | $4,900 | $21,560 | $58,800 |
| Georgia | $4,500 | $19,800 | $54,000 |
| Hawaii | $7,100 | $31,240 | $85,200 |
| Idaho | $4,600 | $20,240 | $55,200 |
| Illinois | $5,250 | $23,100 | $63,000 |
| Indiana | $4,400 | $19,360 | $52,800 |
| Iowa | $4,300 | $18,920 | $51,600 |
| Kansas | $4,250 | $18,700 | $51,000 |
| Kentucky | $4,200 | $18,480 | $50,400 |
| Louisiana | $4,350 | $19,140 | $52,200 |
| Maine | $5,100 | $22,440 | $61,200 |
| Maryland | $5,750 | $25,300 | $69,000 |
| Massachusetts | $6,500 | $28,600 | $78,000 |
| Michigan | $4,600 | $20,240 | $55,200 |
| Minnesota | $5,100 | $22,440 | $61,200 |
| Mississippi | $3,900 | $17,160 | $46,800 |
| Missouri | $4,350 | $19,140 | $52,200 |
| Montana | $4,750 | $20,900 | $57,000 |
| Nebraska | $4,400 | $19,360 | $52,800 |
| Nevada | $5,100 | $22,440 | $61,200 |
| New Hampshire | $5,600 | $24,640 | $67,200 |
| New Jersey | $6,250 | $27,500 | $75,000 |
| New Mexico | $4,500 | $19,800 | $54,000 |
| New York | $6,600 | $29,040 | $79,200 |
| North Carolina | $4,500 | $19,800 | $54,000 |
| North Dakota | $4,500 | $19,800 | $54,000 |
| Ohio | $4,500 | $19,800 | $54,000 |
| Oklahoma | $4,150 | $18,260 | $49,800 |
| Oregon | $5,500 | $24,200 | $66,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,100 | $22,440 | $61,200 |
| Rhode Island | $5,750 | $25,300 | $69,000 |
| South Carolina | $4,350 | $19,140 | $52,200 |
| South Dakota | $4,250 | $18,700 | $51,000 |
| Tennessee | $4,300 | $18,920 | $51,600 |
| Texas | $4,650 | $20,460 | $55,800 |
| Utah | $4,750 | $20,900 | $57,000 |
| Vermont | $5,400 | $23,760 | $64,800 |
| Virginia | $5,250 | $23,100 | $63,000 |
| Washington | $5,750 | $25,300 | $69,000 |
| West Virginia | $4,000 | $17,600 | $48,000 |
| Wisconsin | $4,700 | $20,680 | $56,400 |
| Wyoming | $4,600 | $20,240 | $55,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is college still worth the cost?
Statistically, college graduates earn $1M+ more over their lifetime than non-graduates. However, ROI varies significantly by major and school.