• 1 March 2024 (Updated)

2024 Average Tuition of U.S. colleges is $11,821 for Residents and $21,801 for Others

For the academic year 2023-2024, the average tuition of public U.S. colleges is $11,821 for state residents and $21,801 for out-of-state students. For private colleges, the average tuition & fees are $28,417 regardless of residency. For graduate schools, the average tuition of public U.S. colleges is $11,736 for state residents and $21,191 for out-of-state students. For private schools, the average graduate tuition is $19,665.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $15,407 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $16,873. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2024 average COA of the four-year U.S. colleges is $29,079 for residents and $39,058 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $45,284. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $18,666 for residents and $22,724 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2024 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
2024 Average Cost of Colleges
ResidentsOut-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges$29,079$39,058
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)$18,666$22,724
Private 4 Years Colleges$45,284

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

In United States, 6,222 out of 6,550 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 2,071 public and 3,464 private colleges. The average undergraduate tuition & fees is $9,020 for residents and $19,088 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $27,142
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $4,781 for residents and $8,838 for out-of-state students.
2024 Average Tuition & fees of U.S. colleges
ResidentsOut-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges$9,020$19,088
Private 4 Years Colleges$27,142
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)$4,781$8,838
Less than 2 Years Schools (Trade/Technical Colleges)$17,110

Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees

In United States, 2,291 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees is $10,074 for state residents and $19,366 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $18,782
2024 Average Graduate Tuition & fees of U.S. colleges
ResidentsOut-of-State
Public Schools$10,074$19,366
Private Schools$18,782

Tuition per Credit Hour

The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of U.S. colleges is $312 for state residents and $685 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $992
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $522 for state residents and $951 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $856
2024 Average Tuition per Credit Hour of U.S. colleges
ResidentsOut-of-State
Undergraduate
Public 4 Years Colleges$312$685
Private 4 Years Colleges$992
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)$153$308
Graduate
Public Schools$522$951
Private Schools$856

Average Living Costs at U.S. colleges

At colleges in United States, the average living cost is $15,407 when a student lives on campus facility and $16,873 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
2024 Average Living Cost of U.S. colleges
On-CampusOff-Campus
Public Schools$14,999$16,864
Private Schools$15,692$16,881

2024 Tuition and Living Costs Summary By States

The following table summarizes 2024 tuition, fees, and living costs by State. You may want to check detailed costs information by school type, level, degree, and more by following a link on State name. In addition, you can see all schools located in your desired state by following a link on the number of schools of the State.
State Number of SchoolsTuition & Fees Living Costs
PublicPrivateOn-CampusOff-Campus
In-StateOut-of-State
Alaska 9$7,722$17,700$13,568$15,725$19,761
Alabama 84$7,588$14,375$16,901$13,200$15,622
Arkansas 89$5,538$8,792$19,274$13,912$15,309
Arizona 122$5,160$13,425$20,889$15,789$17,879
California 698$3,071$13,536$27,056$19,154$23,998
Colorado 94$7,468$17,956$21,281$16,561$18,760
Connecticut 77$14,665$28,314$36,827$18,870$17,235
District of Columbia 25$6,152$13,004$28,738$19,191$19,137
Delaware 18$8,258$19,091$12,862$17,923$15,908
Florida 402$3,828$13,819$20,563$16,633$18,646
Georgia 167$5,041$10,733$21,645$15,857$16,721
Hawaii 24$5,021$13,412$17,045$15,755$19,753
Iowa 76$6,695$10,386$31,437$13,479$14,120
Idaho 36$6,449$16,910$20,612$14,005$14,776
Illinois 249$10,271$13,427$27,016$15,778$15,514
Indiana 142$6,749$15,340$27,894$14,929$15,329
Kansas 78$5,249$8,586$26,323$13,785$15,293
Kentucky 87$6,744$11,603$24,553$14,422$14,806
Louisiana 117$8,806$11,871$21,734$16,287$16,961
Massachusetts 152$9,180$17,548$41,942$19,051$16,433
Maryland 80$8,739$16,766$29,455$16,464$16,725
Maine 37$7,458$15,345$37,943$14,781$12,427
Michigan 176$9,147$14,123$27,902$13,843$14,882
Minnesota 109$7,880$8,472$28,508$13,673$15,151
Missouri 158$7,960$13,682$20,409$14,565$17,033
Mississippi 54$4,930$8,312$18,176$11,231$12,888
Montana 30$6,040$13,302$23,966$13,602$13,492
North Carolina 175$3,415$11,086$25,914$15,781$16,474
North Dakota 27$7,981$8,431$13,278$11,816$13,173
Nebraska 39$6,213$10,295$24,926$13,704$15,336
New Hampshire 34$10,113$21,428$32,555$17,053$18,323
New Jersey 158$10,511$15,786$21,904$14,569$19,865
New Mexico 44$3,893$8,317$25,217$13,502$15,631
Nevada 38$5,648$17,345$17,420$15,031$19,445
New York 439$7,417$14,408$27,670$15,817$19,072
Ohio 288$7,614$15,339$25,384$15,183$15,058
Oklahoma 102$6,397$13,130$23,298$13,621$15,110
Oregon 73$8,815$17,764$31,949$15,903$17,469
Pennsylvania 334$12,675$20,005$31,114$16,638$16,321
Puerto Rico 145$4,902$5,017$8,987$13,619$11,325
Rhode Island 22$10,907$25,511$40,734$19,046$16,110
South Carolina 96$8,731$17,914$24,050$14,818$15,336
South Dakota 29$9,435$9,151$18,561$12,761$14,902
Tennessee 158$7,022$18,600$22,921$14,738$16,404
Texas 425$6,779$13,861$21,834$13,567$15,641
Utah 64$6,381$18,860$16,250$13,924$17,332
Virginia 163$9,034$20,434$21,334$16,267$15,126
Vermont 19$12,403$26,313$44,512$15,922$17,511
Washington 108$6,437$12,983$29,062$17,959$19,749
Wisconsin 92$6,626$11,971$30,418$13,973$13,765
West Virginia 70$6,966$13,842$18,807$14,544$12,995
Wyoming 10$4,868$12,353-$12,101$13,926
Average$7,000$14,209 $25,040$15,699$17,176
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