Sometimes it helps to look at the data, and when it comes to college cost, there’s plenty of data. College costs are rising steadily year over year, so let’s take a look at the average cost of college in the US from 2017 to 2018.
Average Cost for Bachelor Degrees
According to College Board, NCES, and IPEDS, the following prices are the average undergraduate cost of college (including tuition, fees, and room & board) for the 2017–2018 school year.
Average Cost of College for 2017-2018
| College Type | Average College Cost: Tuition + Room & Board |
|---|---|
| Public Two-Year | $11,970 |
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $20,770 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $36,420 |
| Private Four-Year (Not-for-Profit) | $46,950 |
Your Personalized College Cost Estimate
Of course, these averages don’t include things like personal costs, travel fees, textbooks, and other supplies, which is important to keep in mind. The “average” of something isn’t very personalized to you. Every student has unique circumstances, academic goals, and financial situations. Luckily, College Raptor can give you a more personalized estimate of how much you’ll pay for a college.
With our free College Match tool, you can see your very own net price estimate for nearly every college in the US—including what financial aid you’re likely to get, and your estimated debt upon graduation! Having a more personalized estimate can help you narrow down colleges. You’ll find that many schools are more affordable than you imagined.
Additionally, you can discover your acceptance odds and track your application status with our tool!
How to Pay for College
The average cost can be more than a little daunting. So how do you pay for it all? First and foremost: scholarships and grants. They’re the best way to pay since students don’t have to repay those. After that, check out work-study programs, federal student loans, and finally private student loans. Prioritize your financial aid opportunities to lower what you have to pay.
When it comes to private loans, you’ll need one that fits you well. Check out College Raptor’s free Student Loan Finder to compare lenders and interest rates side by side.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.34%-15.96%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
4.92% - 15.08% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.50% - 17.99% Variable
3.45% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.50% - 14.56% Variable
3.69% - 14.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
4.99% - 16.85% Variable
3.47% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
