College costs continue to rise, but the range is enormous — from effectively free in some states to over $80,000/year at elite privates. Here's the 2026 landscape.
Average Costs (2026-2027)
- In-state public: $11,300/year tuition + $12,800 room/board = $24,100
- Out-of-state public: $23,600/year tuition + $12,800 room/board = $36,400
- Private nonprofit: $43,500/year tuition + $15,200 room/board = $58,700
States with Free or Near-Free Tuition
New Mexico: Free tuition at all state schools (any age, any income). New York: Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition for families under $125K. Tennessee and Oregon: Free community college for recent graduates.
Most Expensive Schools
Columbia University ($68,400 tuition), USC ($66,800), and NYU ($62,100) top the list. However, these schools also offer the most generous financial aid — the average student pays far less than sticker price.
Important: Never choose (or reject) a school based on sticker price alone. Apply, get your financial aid package, then compare net costs.
