How much will College REALLY Cost?
Guest Post by Derek Gurr.
Do you like tossing money into a deep, vast abyss? When you run out of kindling, do you use dollar bills instead? Do you give weekly donations to the Buy-an-animal-a-toothbrush fund?
If your answer to any of the previous questions was yes, then you will love college!
A post-high school education is well worth the investment but it is important to be aware of the expenses involved. Counting the costs and making a budget are both critical steps in preparing for college.
According to collegeboard.com, the average cost of public four-year colleges is $7,605 per year (or about $3,803 per semester). With state institutions, there is usually a significant advantage for in-state students. vs. out-of-state students. For example, annual in-state tuition at University of Texas at Dallas is $10,744 while non-Texans pay $25,866 per year. Private colleges are much more pricey coming in at $27,293 ($13,647/semester). Again, some colleges offer discounts for special reasons. Brigham Young University in Provo is a good example, offering a $4,560 per semester discount to members of its sponsoring church.
Tuition money, however, is only the beginning of your total college costs. Just like that obnoxious ex, rent, textbooks, food, and many other expenses continually show up constantly at the most inconvenient times.
Rent varies greatly depending on the location of your college. At New York University, students can pay upwards of $6,000 a month for housing where as at University of New Mexico, costs reach only $650 a month. Housing requirements themselves vary from college to college. For example, at Harvard (and several other large, private universities), on-campus housing is provided for all students. First-year students at Harvard are required to live on campus.
Textbooks are a huge wild card. My textbook costs have ranged from anywhere under $100 in a semester to about $300 — and I’ve been lucky. According to collegeboard.com, The national average for book costs in a year is $1,137 (roughly $568 per semester). Average costs can vary though, depending on the school. At the University of Arizona, you will likely pay about $500 for a semester. If Yale is your destination, you should count on about $1,500 per semester.
Food can be a great place for saving or spending. Eating out several times a week can make for an expensive college stay. Learning to be a price-conscious grocery shopper can save you a ton at the cash register. Savings-sucking meal plans, though convenient, are a fast way to deplete your bank account. It might be helpful to have your mother teach you how to cook prior to leaving.
Other fees can also be expensive. With the rise of gas prices, transportation is a big concern. Some schools offer free or discounted bus passes. Other colleges offer free parking to students. Average transportation costs at the University of Iowa are about $890 per year. Using public transportation can significantly decrease the transportation price tag. Laundry, dates, utilities, cell phone bills, and medical expenses all compete for your attention.
Working out a budget ahead of time can help you better manage your money. You might want to hunt for a job, scholarships, grants, or rich philanthropist relatives to help you foot the bill. The better prepared you are for the cost of college, the better you will be able to perform in the classroom.
About the Author
Derek Gurr is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them understand which online courses and online schools they can choose from to reach their goals.
The name is Buzz Lightyear, and I've recently acquired the last name of Prime from my adoptive family. I'm neither a human being, nor an alien, but I'm a closest thing to a robot: I'm a toy. Thus, the blog you're going to read was written by a toy, one that is willing to share his own feelings with whomever cares to read. And, of course, with my beloved 'adoptive' family.
