What Is the Average College Tuition in 2024?

A recent study by Georgetown University projects that by 2031, 72 percent of jobs in the United States will require a bachelor’s degree or another form of postsecondary education, and 12.5 out of 18.5 million job openings will require some college education [1]. With these statistics, attending college is more important than ever. 

Between inflation, wage stagnation, and an increasingly competitive market, college tuition costs have increased by about 40 percent for private national universities, 38 percent for out-of-state public national universities, and 56 percent for in-state public national universities [2]. Many factors influence tuition costs, including amenities, the cost of living in a particular city, and whether you’re attending as an in-state or out-of-state learner. Knowing college tuition factors can help you to choose the university that best meets your needs and budget. 

Read more: What Does FAFSA Stand For?

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Public universities charge two types of tuition: in-state and out-of-state. In-state tuition rates apply to people who live as residents in that university’s state, while out-of-state tuition rates apply to everyone who lives outside of that state. In general, in-state tuition rates are much cheaper than out-of-state tuition rates. Public universities receive funds through state taxes, so in-state students receive discounts on their tuition.  For example, according to the College Board, in-state students spent $11,260 on average during the 2023-2024 school year, while out-of-state tuition costs averaged $29,150 [3].

In-state students can take advantage of state-sponsored grants and scholarships to help offset tuition costs. Other less tangible ways an in-state learner might save money include living at home instead of in the dorms or a rented house.

Public vs. private tuition

While public universities receive funds through taxes, private universities only receive funds through donations and tuition dollars. This typically means that private universities cost more than public ones and that the tuition rate applies to every learner regardless of where they live. The average cost of tuition at a private university is $42,162, much higher than the average in-state public tuition of $10,662 [4].

Average tuition by state

The following are the top 10 most expensive and most affordable states for college tuition from 2022 to 2023, based on data compiled by The National Center for Education Statistics [5]:

Most expensive states by annual public college tuition rates

Most affordable states by annual public college tuition rates

Average tuition for graduate and professional degrees

Graduate school typically lasts two or four years and offers advanced degrees, such as a master’s or a doctorate, in a specialized field. Depending on the type of work you want to do, you may or may not want to continue with a graduate program once you’ve received your bachelor’s degree. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, on average, a graduate degree costs about $19,749 per year [6]. 

Other factors that affect college tuition cost

Many factors affect tuition costs. Every university differs, but some of the more typical factors include:

• The university’s location: A college in New York City, NY, will cost much more to attend than one in rural Wyoming. Cost of living, state and city taxes, and average property rent all influence a college’s cost.

• Student amenities: More and more, colleges include amenities like gyms, support networks, activities, and housing options to attract students to their campus. These amenities increase tuition through additional fees to support the programs.

• Administrative salaries: As student bodies grow in size, so does the staff required to manage their schedules, billing, and time in school. A larger university staff means an increased cost of running the school, which in turn influences tuition costs.

• Recruitment costs: As the number of colleges across the nation grows, so does the amount of money schools need to spend on marketing to draw in potential students over their competitors.

Other costs

In addition to college tuition, other costs to keep in mind include:

• Food, such as groceries, eating out, or dining plans

• Housing, such as a dorm, rented house, or apartment

• Transportation, such as public transit or a private vehicle

• Books and technology

• Childcare

How to make college more affordable

Luckily, you can secure more affordable college tuition. Some strategies to reduce your college costs include:

• Look for financial aid. Scholarships, grants, and private funding can help you offset tuition costs. Look into financial aid offered by the university, your state, and any organizations that might have programs to help. A counselor at your high school or the university can also help you research financial aid.

• Share housing. If you’re attending a school near your home, you can save money by living with your family. If you need to live in a rented housing unit, splitting the bills with roommates also helps reduce costs. Resident advisors employed by a college to monitor dorms while attending school often receive discounts on their own room and board.

• Consider community college. Two-year community colleges cost much less than attending a four-year full-time university. Consider completing your early general education courses at a community college and then transferring to a four-year university when it’s time to focus on major-specific courses.

• Find an income source. Universities often offer employment opportunities to students. Look for positions at the school that work with your schedule.

• Graduate on time. Many scholarships expire after four years. Even if you’re not on a scholarship, limiting the number of semesters in school reduces overall costs. 

• When possible, buy used. Look for second-hand books, equipment, and other school supplies to save money rather than buying everything new.

Exploring affordable college tuition with online bachelor's degrees

Knowing all the factors that influence your tuition can help prepare you to make your college decision. You should assess your budget and decide how much you are willing to spend on college and how much of that could be subsidized or otherwise reduced through scholarships, shorter-term programs, and finding on-campus employment. 

On Coursera, you’ll find online bachelor's and post-graduate degrees that you can complete from anywhere. Consider programs like the University of North Texas’s Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, which provides an affordable way to build on credits you’ve already earned. You can access many options for courses, degrees, and other programs, making it easy to find the right degree and university for you and your budget.