The cost of attending a private university or college to study engineering can run high, particularly when compared to the expense of attending a public school. However, many students choose private establishments for their storied reputations, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which offers several engineering programs, including chemical and biological engineering. The school charges $39,212 a year for both undergraduate and graduate tuition as of 2011. Some private schools do charge less, though. For example, the Wentworth Institute of Technology costs $22,870 a year for an undergrad as of 2011, a difference of more than $16,000 over MIT.
Students who have the option of attending a school of engineering in their home state can find excellent tuition deals, provided they are an official state resident. For instance, students who legally reside in California can attend San Francisco State University's School of Engineering for roughly $5,200 a year as of 2011, a small fraction of the price of a private institution. Kansans at the University of Kansas School of Engineering pay $5,319 a year in tuition as of 2011, which is also a small price when compared to other options.
Students who do not have access to a public school with a suitable engineering program in their state or who wish to study further afield can still save money by attending a public school, as out-of-state rates are still less than those of private institutions. For instance, non-residents at the University of Kansas pay $12,438 a year as of 2011 while those attending the University of Connecticut $24,528, also a palatable amount compared to Stanford's $51,600 a year.
Though looking at tuition fees for engineering colleges can give students a serious case of sticker shock, scholarships are available to help cut down the costs. To apply for scholarships, which schools offer incoming students as well as government grants, file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and use online search engines like Fast Web to seek out other scholarships. Scholarships can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, such as the The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers award, which is worth $3,000.