How much does college cost in 2025?

By Corey Buhay | Published on March 9, 2026

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The first step to budgeting for a college education is understanding exactly how much it will cost. The good news is that contrary to popular belief, college tuition costs haven’t actually risen much over the past few years. While it’s true that the inflation-adjusted sticker price of a four-year degree has more than doubled since 1963, college costs have only increased by a small amount in recent years. According to data from the College Board, the annual cost of a four-year degree at a public, in-state institution is now around $11,610—only $300 more than it was during the 2023/24 school year. That’s just a 2.5% increase, which is pretty similar to the current rate of inflation.

Plus, the sticker price isn’t always reflective of what students actually pay. Scholarships, grants, and school-sponsored aid can bring your effective tuition cost way down—sometimes to just a fraction of the price you’ll see listed on the college website. On the other hand, college-related expenses, like pricey student housing, could bring your total costs up.

So, how much will college actually cost you? Here’s what to expect—and how to finance your higher education without paying an arm and a leg.

The average cost of undergraduate school

The average advertised cost of attendance for college in the U.S. is $28,445 per year for full-time students at public institutions and $38,421 per year for full-time students at private nonprofit colleges according to a recent report from the Education Data Initiative (EDI). And that is just tuition, it doesn't include any room and board.

Here’s how those costs break down:

The cost of public colleges

Based on published sticker prices, the average annual tuition and fees at a public, four-year, in-state college is $11,610 for the 2024/25 school year, according to College Board data. Note that this does not include books, supplies, living expenses, or other factors that contribute to the total cost of attendance (COA).

Out-of-state tuition is more expensive. Data shows that on average, four-year public institutions cost out-of-state students about $30,780 per year in tuition and fees with a total COA just over $45,000 per academic year once you add room and board.

The cost of private colleges

Private universities tend to cost significantly more than public ones. The average four-year, private nonprofit college currently charges $43,350 in annual tuition and fees, according to College Board. Tack on housing costs and other college expenses, and you’re looking at a total of $62,990 for a single school year.

For-profit colleges are sometimes cheaper than non-profit colleges. EDI reports an average tuition price of $15,868 for four-year, for-profit schools. The total COA for those schools is $33,574 per year.

Are college costs actually going up?

At face value, the average sticker price of in-state, four-year, public universities may look like it’s increasing dramatically. But once you adjust for inflation, you’ll see that the true cost has actually declined. According to the College Board, inflation-adjusted prices have fallen by about 4% at public four-year institutions over the last decade.

Private institutions, however, have gotten more expensive. The College Board also reports that the average cost of tuition for undergraduate students at private schools increased by 4% between the 2014-15 and 2024-25 academic years.

The average cost of graduate school

Most graduate programs charge tuition per credit hour instead of per semester. As a result, grad students tend to pay a wider range for their degrees—anywhere from $44,640 and $71,140 in total—according to the most recent available EDI data.

According to recent reporting by Forbes, the cost of postgraduate degrees in the U.S. has more than tripled since 2000. Does that mean the actual value of those degrees has tripled as well? Many specialists have their doubts—which means prospective graduate students should be extra discerning when they weigh the pros and cons of getting an additional degree.

Costs vary by program and subject matter as well. According to EDI, the average cost for a Master's degree in Education is about $44,640, while a Master’s of Art is around $71,140.

Sticker prices can be deceiving

Most college websites list an official estimate for the cost of attendance. This number, known as the sticker price, often looks shockingly high. The big secret is that students rarely pay the full sticker price. That’s because most college students receive some kind of financial aid—like scholarships, grants, or work-study—which leaves them with a much lower net price. In fact, according to the College Board, the average annual tuition paid by full-time public undergraduates was just $2,480 during the 2024/25 school year. That’s down by more than $2,000 over the year prior.

Another prominent example is Harvard University. Harvard’s sticker price is more than $90,000 per year for the 2025/26 academic year. But because the school has such a large endowment, about 25% of Harvard students receive full tuition in financial aid. Their site also states that they “meet 100 percent of our students' demonstrated financial need.”

Why is college so expensive?

The average college tuition has increased over the past few decades for several reasons. These include:

• Marketing costs. These days, hundreds of colleges and universities compete for the enrollment of millions of students. Schools increasingly have to spend big to capture their share of the market. That spending can inflate costs.

• Intentional price inflation. Some colleges may also increase their sticker prices as a marketing tactic. Pricier tuition creates the illusion of a more prestigious school, while increased endowments give students a sense that they’re getting a great deal.

• Lower funding. According to the Financial Times, US universities are bracing for the potential loss of billions of dollars if Donald Trump follows through on pulling federal funding and imposing new taxes in 2025 and beyond.

How to make college more affordable

Here’s how to lower a school’s sticker price and find the funding you need to attend.

• Fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible. Supplied by the U.S. Department of Education, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an online form that most colleges and universities use to determine financial need. Filling it out will automatically put you in the running for a number of grants, school-specific funds, and other forms of financial aid. Some schools offer financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so aim to fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible.

• Save with a 529 plan. A 529 plan is a type of investment account that offers tax advantages for college savings. You can open one for a loved one or yourself while the beneficiary is in college, high school, or even daycare. When it’s time to pay for school, the beneficiary can withdraw funds—and any accrued interest—tax-free, as long as the money is used for qualified education expenses.

• Choose a more affordable college. One of the best ways to minimize your COA is to attend a less expensive school. In-state colleges and public schools tend to be more affordable than out-of-state or private colleges. If you want to get further from home, check if your state participates in a regional exchange program. If it does, you may be able to qualify for in-state tuition in neighboring states. And if you’re hoping to enter a very specific field or trade, you may want to consider getting a more affordable, two-year trade certificate instead of a bachelor’s degree, which is another great way to save a ton of money.

• Start at a community college. With smart planning, it’s possible to get a diploma from a top college or university at just a fraction of the total cost. The trick is knocking out your general education requirements—which are usually quite similar from school to school—at a local community college. After a year or two, you can then transfer to a bigger college or university to complete your more specific degree requirements. In the end, you’ll receive the same diploma as everyone else—but with a much lower price tag.

• Lower your cost of living. Room and board can cost anywhere from $12,300 and $22,770, according to EDI data from a handful of California colleges. If you’re going to school in a high-rent area, look for ways to save money on your living expenses. Pack your own lunches instead of enrolling in a dining-hall meal plan, live off-campus with roommates instead of in on-campus housing, or spend a few semesters crashing at home with your parents. You can also reduce your living expenses by biking instead of driving to campus and sticking to a budget for your personal expenses.

• Apply for scholarships. Unlike student loans, scholarships are funds that you never have to pay back. There are thousands of scholarships available—from athletes to artists to average students.

• Borrow federal loans. If you’re open to taking on debt, federal student loans are a great way to bolster your education funds after you’ve exhausted your savings and scholarship options. There are a few types of federal student loans:

• Direct Subsidized Loans are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need.

  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to all undergraduates, grad students, and professional students, regardless of need.
  • Direct PLUS Loans are available to all professional and graduate students, as well as to parents of undergraduate students.

Consider a private loan from Earnest

If you’ve already maxed out your allowance for federal loans, private student loans can help you bridge the last gaps to cover your tuition. Earnest offers flexible, fee-free loans at low interest rates. You can skip payments once per year without paying any penalties. Get a free estimate today to see how much you could save.

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About the Author

Corey Buhay is a writer and editor based in Boulder, Colorado. She’s passionate about literature, the outdoors, and doing her taxes by hand. She has been writing about student loans and personal finance for Earnest since 2019. You’ll find her work in Outside Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, Smithsonian, and The Denver Post.