2021 U.S. Colleges Average Tuition, Fees, and Living Costs

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Costs of Attendance

For the academic year 2020-2021, the average cost of attendance (COA) is $35,726 for undergraduate schools and $35,279 for graduate schools. The following table and chart illustrate costs of attendance including tuition, fees, books & supplies, and living costs by degree offering and residence type.
Costs of Attendance (2020-2021)
Tuition & FeesBooks & SuppliesLiving Costs
In-StateOut-of-StateOn-CampusOff-Campus
Undergraduate$6,013$19,932 $1,823$13,972$14,400
Graduate$10,707$19,484 $1,823$13,972$14,400
[CHART#] Costs of Attendance Chart

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2020-2021, the average undergraduate tuition & fees is $6,013 for in-state students and $19,932 for out-of-state students. The following table and chart illustrate tuition and fees by school controls and levels.
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2020-2021)
In-StateOut-of-State
TuitionFeesTuitionFees
Average$4,832$1,181 $18,737$1,195
Public Schools$4,832$1,181 $11,503$1,338
4 Years or High$7,159$1,886 $17,553$2,105
2-4 Years$3,112$667 $7,228$803
Less Than 2 Years$7,596- $8,232$813
Private Schools-- $24,601$1,054
4 Years or High-- $26,602$1,050
2-4 Years-- $14,352$1,111
Less Than 2 Years-- $12,635$854
[CHART#1] Undergraduate Tuition & Fees Chart

Graduate Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2020-2021, the average graduate tuition & fees is $10,707 for in-state students and $19,484 for out-of-state students. The following table and chart illustrate tuition and fees by school controls and levels.
Graduate Tuition & Fees (2020-2021)
In-StateOut-of-State
TuitionFeesTuitionFees
Average Costs$9,080$1,627$18,429$1,055
Public Schools$9,080$1,627$18,397$1,666
Private Schools--$18,442$758
[CHART#2] Graduate Tuition & Fees Chart

Room & Board, Other Living Costs

For the academic year 2020-2021, the average On-campus living costs is $13,972 and off-campus living costs is $14,400. The following table and chart illustrate living costs and other expenses by school controls and levels.
Room & Board, Other Living Costs (2020-2021)
On-CampusOff-Campus
Room & BoardOther ExpensesRoom & BoardOther Expenses
Average$10,772$3,199$10,232$4,168
Public Schools$10,075$3,501 $10,238$4,259
4 Years or High$10,859$3,511 $10,582$4,056
2-4 Years$7,572$3,483 $9,935$4,451
Less Than 2 Years$6,404$1,200 $8,752$4,492
Private Schools$11,211$3,010 $10,227$4,098
4 Years or High$11,272$2,990 $10,428$3,897
2-4 Years$9,544$3,557 $9,566$5,257
Less Than 2 Years$6,150$3,800 $7,306$3,958
[CHART#3] Room & Board, Other Living Costs for

Tuition per Credit Hours

For the academic year 2020-2021, the undergraduate costs per credit hour is $217 for in-state students and $668 for out-of-state students. For graduate schools, the cost per credit hour is $507 for in-state students and $839 for out-of-state students. The following table and chart illustrate the average costs credit per hour by school controls and levels.
Tuition per Credit Hours (2020-2021)
UndergraduateGraduate
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
Average$217$668 $507$839
Public Schools$217$478 $507$935
4 Years or High$320$727 $507$935
2-4 Years$143$294 --
Less Than 2 Years$97$97 --
Private Schools-$861 -$797
4 Years or High-$909 -$797
2-4 Years-$433 -$355
Less Than 2 Years-$320 --
2-4 years and less than 2 years colleges do not offer graduate programs or not report its costs.