College Costs: What You Should Expect to Pay

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 how to keep those college costs as low as possible.

But first, a quick look at the average cost of tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students in 2023 – 2024:

11 College Costs Other Than Tuition

1. Room and Board

 

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Housing

The cost of room and board among the largest expenses you will incur after tuition fees. Depending on the college and the living arrangements that you choose, room and board could make up almost half of your total college bill.

The cost of living in a dorm can vary based on the type of room and the number of amenities you opt for. Rooms with a private bathroom and air conditioning could cost more than rooms with no air conditioners and showers down the hall. Keep your budget in mind when choosing.

When it comes to off-campus housing, the location of your school has a major impact on room and board costs. Living expenses in small towns or rural areas are generally less expensive than large cities, especially for off-campus apartments.

Meals

There are several different types of meal plans that you can choose from at most schools. Some of these include three meals a day or some may let you choose a certain number of meals each week or month. Choosing a meal plan that is consistent with your specific needs can help you save on board. Students can usually change their meal plan at the end of the term. If you find that you do not make use of the meals that your chosen meal plan provides, you may want to switch it up.

The average room and board costs that full-time undergraduates had to budget for in 2023-2024:

2. Textbooks

The total cost of buying new textbooks can add up to almost $1,200 every year. Buying new textbooks from the campus bookstore is usually your most expensive option.

To help make textbooks more affordable, consider buying used books, utilizing eBook options, or renting books. There are several sites that sell used textbooks for a fraction of the price of a new book.

Selling your used textbooks at the end of the year is a way to recover some of the money that you spent on your books.

The average costs of books and supplies that full-time undergraduates had to budget for in 2023-2024:

3. Living Expenses

We’ve already accounted for housing cost and meal plan as that is usually presented to you fairly early on by the college. However, these are not the only living expenses you’ll have.

You’ll also want to budget for:

• Groceries
• Toiletries
• Bedding
• Cell Phone
• Dorm supplies and décor
• Snacks
• Cleaning supplies

4. Transportation

Transportation costs vary depending on where you stay and your mode of transportation. If you are living on campus, you can generally walk or take the Free Ride, saving on transportation costs. If you live off-campus, your transportation costs will depend on whether you are driving your own car, cycling, or college or using public transit. Buying a bike or scooter could help you save when it comes to transportation costs.

You’ll also want to factor in the cost of long-distance transportation if you are attending a school in another state. This cost varies depending on how far the college is from home and whether it involves taking a flight, train, or bus or whether it is within driving distance.

The average transportation costs that full-time undergraduates had to budget for in 2023-2024:

5. Laundry

Laundry might be another cost you didn’t expect! It doesn’t cost a lot to do this task, but you need to account for it as it can add up. Some campuses, but not all, will require you to pay to use their laundry machines. And if you’re living off-campus without your own washing machine and dryer, you may have to head to the laundromat.

6. Essential School Supplies and Fees

In addition to a general list of back to school supplies like notebooks, backpacks, and computers, some courses may require more specialized materials or supplies to be used in class. For examples, a two-dimensional art class may require supplies such as paintbrushes, canvases, paint, etc. Some lab classes may require lab equipment or safety goggles.

Your professor should present you with a list of supplies you need to buy before classes start, but if you have any questions, reach out to them ahead of time to avoid buying the wrong materials.

Some of your courses may also require or recommend a field trip. In these cases, there could be tickets and travel fees.

7. Social and other Miscellaneous Expenses

The expenses in this bucket can likely be considered “want-to-haves” rather than “must-haves.” But every student deserves to have some fun and relaxation. So, in this bucket, your non-essentials include things like:

• Coffee stops or other non-meal plan eating expenses (eating out)
• Social activities and entertainment (going to the movies, sporting events and music festivals, etc.)
• Music, television, or other streaming services
• Games or other gear for hobbies

8. Greek Life Fees and Dues

If you’re thinking about joining a fraternity or sorority, you’re going to want to plan for these expenses. Greek Life fees and dues can cost up to $6,000 per semester! Do your research before joining so you have an idea of how much you will need to pay.

9. Club Fees

Joining clubs and extracurriculars is a big part of the overall college experience, but you might have to pay some cash to get involved. These fees go towards paying for supplies, trips, and the general operation of the club. There are plenty of excellent clubs that are free too so don’t hesitate to investigate these if you’re strapped for cash.

10. Potential for Reduced Financial Aid in Subsequent Years

While you may have received financial aid that covered your full cost of attendance for one year, it isn’t a guarantee that it will remain the same the following year or the year after. Financial aid requirements can change from year to year depending on a several different factors.

And if you won a couple of scholarships this semester, is it renewable? If you have to reapply the next year, there’s no guarantee you will receive the same value award again.

11. Emergency Expenses

Emergencies come up. It could be a health scare, urgent home repairs or a punctured tire, resolving these problems can cost money. Setting aside money to build an emergency fund is important and the earlier you start the better. When you start early, you’ll have more time to build a sizeable emergency fund that will take care of any emergency expense that comes up.

College Raptor can help you get a more personalized look at your true cost college. With your free account you can compare individualized costs for almost every 4-year college in the US.

How to Budget for Unexpected Expenses in College

Don’t let these college costs scare you. There are plenty of ways to keep your expenses at a minimum.

• Look for Affordable College Materials. Buy used textbooks and take advantage of promotions like Amazon’s Prime Day, Target’s Circle Day, and others when shopping for your schools supplies and other essentials.
• Use Your Student ID. A lot of businesses around campus will give you discounts when you present your student ID, so make sure to keep it handy.
• Take Advantage of Free Resources. Colleges have plenty of free resources for students. You can use on-campus gym facilities, opt for free transportation around campus, and join a tutoring group with your peers.
• Maximize the Use of Your Meal Plan. Understand how your meal plan works. Some meal plans get you a certain number of meals per day or week and others act like gift cards. Avoid eating out and utilize your meal plan and meal dollars to keep costs low.
• Plan Ahead. Try to lay out your funding needs, awards received, and required courses. This can help you know what you’ll need to account for as far as tuition, supplies, and other needs for each semester.
• Consider a Part-Time Job. If you have time, a part-time job can help offset expenses and give you more spending money.
• Track Your Expenses. By tracking your expenses this semester, you can get an idea of what the next semester will cost you and create a better budget for the future.

Financial Aid Options Available to Students

To help cover your college costs, you have some options outside of your income and savings. Make sure you file your FAFSA every year to see if you qualify for federal financial aid. In addition to federal aid, look into:

• Grants and scholarships: Grants and scholarships are a form of gift aid. They can be merit or need-based awards and don’t generally need to be paid back, but you may need to abide by grant specific requirements and qualifications.
• Work–study: Work study is offered to students who meet certain criteria. If you qualify, you will be able to work part-time on campus and earn an income to help cover educational and living expenses.
• Federal student loans: The federal government offers multiple types of loans, including subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
• Private student loans: When federal aid, grants, scholarships and savings aren’t enough, private student loans are another option to help you cover your remaining college costs. Note, that private student loans may be tougher to qualify for and they may have higher interest rates.

Federal financial aid can be used to cover all college costs, not just tuition. That means it can go towards expenses including room, board, textbooks, and college supplies.

When calculating the cost of college, make sure to add up all the big and small expenses. Get a clear picture of how much it will cost you so you can make informed decisions about how much financial aid you will need to apply for to cover these costs and how and where you can cut back on your costs.

Source for average college cost estimates: Trends in College Pricing 2023 (collegeboard.org).

 

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