affordability & college cost

College Costs: What You Should Expect to Pay

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 24, 2024

Tuition is the first thing most families think about when calculating college costs. And that’s totally justified considering tuition fees are the largest expense associated with college education. However, there are several other college related expenses to factor in when calculating the total cost of college. Here, we breakdown those expenses and give some tips on …

affordability & college cost

What is Included in “Cost of Attendance?”

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Cost of attendance or COA is a term you’ll come across often when researching different colleges and their fees. Families often confuse cost of attendance with college tuition. The fact is although the two are associated, they are two completely different things. College tuition is just one part of the total cost of attendance. Here’s …

affordability & college cost

Did You Know There are Exceptions to Paying Out-of-State Tuition for College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

For the most part, schools have a separate tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, with out-of-state sometimes costing as much as three times the in-state rate. Most states require you to have called the area home for at least a year to be consider a resident, but there are exceptions to this rule. Here are …

affordability & college cost

Why Should College Be Free?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 3, 2024

Should college be free? It’s an oft-asked question with a complicated and arguably unclear answer. With rising college costs and the student debt incurred the question is only being brought up more often. So why should college be free? Well, there is evidence that it could help to close the inequality gap, encourage learning, and …

affordability & college cost

15 Surprisingly Affordable Colleges for Midwestern Middle Class Families

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022

Many middle class families in the Midwest think that their only affordable college options are the state schools. While these may be great options, they are certainly not the only affordable schools for these students and families. Before we jump in to which colleges we found to be most affordable for middle class Midwestern families, it’s important …

affordability & college cost

Don’t Wait to Figure Out The Cost of College

By Lynell EngelmyerLast updated on December 22, 2022

As recently as 3 or 4 years ago, financial aid had a season. It was limited and finite, but much like Christmas music that begins to play before Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day decorations that spring up January 2nd, financial aid season has also been affected by seasonal “creep”. It used to be that you couldn’t …

affordability & college cost

These 10 “Expensive” Colleges Have Free College Tuition or Full-Ride Scholarships for Middle-Class Families

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022

When many families think of college, they think “expensive”. With rising price tags on many schools now easily exceeding $60,000 per year, it’s no wonder that many students and parents are worried about how they will possibly afford the cost of college. If you’ve done your homework, then you will know that many colleges–especially the most …

affordability & college cost

The Costs of Transferring Colleges

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Students can transfer schools for all sorts of reasons –another college has a better program, they weren’t clicking with the environment, etc.– but whatever the cause, all transfer students face similar challenges with their move. Whether it’s financial or academic — what’s the real cost of transferring colleges? The benefits of transferring colleges: Given the …

affordability & college cost

“Why is College So Expensive?” It Doesn’t Have to Be!

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022

College Raptor can help you save big on tuition at the most expensive private colleges in the US. Discover the “Net Price” is at the nation’s top schools.

affordability & college cost

A Million Millions: Student Loan Debt vs. Valentine’s Day Spending

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022

Each year, we hear about the huge spending for Valentine’s Day. And, almost every day, we are reminded how much student loan debt Americans have. But, how do the two stack up? Well, it’s really not much of a contest. Student loan debt in America is currently at $1.2 trillion, which dwarfs any measure of …