These figures represent only the cost of tuition and fees, and do not include additional expenses such as room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. The total cost of attending a public college can therefore be significantly higher than the tuition and fees alone.
For example, the average annual cost of room and board at a four-year public college was $10,800 during the 2019-2020 academic year. The average annual cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The average annual cost of transportation was $1,100.
Adding these additional expenses to the average cost of tuition and fees, the total average cost of attending a four-year public college for an in-state student was $21,510 during the 2019-2020 academic year. The total average cost of attending a four-year public college for an out-of-state student was $35,600.
The total average cost of attending a two-year public college for an in-state student was $12,140 during the 2019-2020 academic year. The total average cost of attending a two-year public college for an out-of-state student was $19,130.
These figures are just averages, and the actual cost of attending a public college can vary significantly from these figures. For example, the cost of attending a public college in a large metropolitan area is typically higher than the cost of attending a public college in a rural area. The cost of attending a public college in a state with high tuition rates is typically higher than the cost of attending a public college in a state with low tuition rates.
Students should carefully research the cost of attending a public college before making a decision about which college to attend. They should also be aware of the financial aid options that may be available to help them pay for college.