College costs up again: 6.4% public, 5.9% private - USATODAY.com: Amid the economic turmoil, students and their families are getting little relief from rising college costs, which jumped 6.4% at state universities this fall, according to new figures out Wednesday.
And with states aggressively cutting budgets, big increases look almost certain next year, too — if not sooner. At least two states — Rhode Island and Michigan — already have taken steps toward raising prices before next fall, and a half-dozen others are reportedly considering unusual midyear increases.
For the current academic year, the average list price of tuition and fees at four-year public universities rose $394, or 6.4%, to $6,585 for in-state students. At private colleges, prices rose $1,399, or 5.9%, to $25,143, according to the annual 'Trends in College Pricing' report from the College Board.
It's important to remember many students don't pay the full list price. On average, students receive about $3,700 in grants and tax benefits at four-year public schools, and $10,200 at private institutions.
When room and board is added in, some high-tuition private institutions can total $50,000 a year or more. Overall, though, more than half of four-year college students attend institutions where the list price for tuition and fees is under $9,000.
