Public vs. Private Schools

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

The 2024 average undergraduate tuition & fees of public schools are $6,987 for state residents and $12,873 for out-of-state students. In private schools, the average tuition & fees is $26,978 in non-profit schools and $17,594 in for-profit schools.

Graduate Tuition & Fees

The average graduate tuition & fees are $11,417 for state residents and $20,752 for out-of-state students at public schools. The graduate tuition & fees in private schools are $19,616 for the academic year 2023-2024.
The next table shows the average tuition & fees for both undergraduate and graduate schools (2,035 public and 4,368 private schools) for the academic year 2023-2024.
UndergraduateGraduate
Table. 2024 Average Undergraduate Tuition & Fees By School Type
School TypeNumber of Undergraduate SchoolsIn-StateOut-of-State
Public2,035 schools$6,987$12,873
Private (not-for-profit)1,914 schools$26,978
Private (for-profit)2,454 schools$17,594
Table. 2024 Average Graduate Tuition & Fees By School Type
School TypeNumber of Graduate SchoolsIn-StateOut-of-State
Public600 schools$11,417$20,752 schools
Private1,413 schools$19,616
source: IPEDS(integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: March 1, 2024)

Tuition Differences By School Levels

4-Years Colleges' Tuition

The 2024 average tuition & fees of four-years (or high) schools such as national universities and liberal arts colleges is $8,939 for state residents and $19,261 for out-of-state students in public colleges. In private four-years colleges, the average tuition & fees is $26,482.

Community Colleges' Tuition

The average tuition at community colleges (i.e. 2 but less than 4 years colleges) is $4,818 for state residents and $8,553 for out-of-state students.

Trade Schools' Tuition

In trade schools, the 2024 average tuition & fees is $9,886. The trade schools' average tuition is calculated based on the tuition for each school's largest programs.
Table. 2024 Average Undergraduate Tuition & Fees By School Level
School LevelNumber of SchoolsIn-StateOut-of-State
Four-years (or high)2,760 schools$8,939$19,261
2-4 Years (community colleges)1,668 schools$4,818$8,553
Less than 2-Years (trade schools)1,796 schools$9,747$9,886
source: IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education
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