Two-year public colleges offer associate's degrees and general study foundation courses, eligible for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The cost of college tuition for two-year public colleges tends to be lower than four-year institutions. For the 2010-2011 school years, the average college tuition for a two-year public college was $2,713. Additional fees may be charged for out-of-state students.
Four-year public colleges typically offer associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees. The college tuition fees tend to be the same for all degrees, but the length of time spent earning the degree may differ. In-state students, those who have a permanent address within the state, typically pay $7,605 per year, as of 2010-2011.
Out-of-state college tuition fees are often more expensive than in-state fees. Students can earn the same degrees at a four-year college as in-state students. Yearly college tuition fees as of 2010-2011 average $19,595. Room and board fees will increase the total college cost of an out-of-state college education.
Four-year nonprofit private colleges charge higher college tuition fees than public colleges and universities. The average price per year was $27,293, as of 2010-2011. Students attending the college from out-of-state may have to pay higher college tuition fees. Degrees offered at private colleges are generally the same as public colleges: associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees.
For-profit colleges offer college degrees similar to private and public nonprofit colleges. The only difference is for-profit colleges make money from college tuition fees, which often drives the college tuition fees higher. On average, students attending a for-profit college in 2010-2011 pay $13,935 per year.