How Much Does College Cost?

How much does college cost? This question is tricky because it depends on the college you will be attending, as well as when you will be attending.

Private vs. Public
The tuition at private colleges is more than double the tuition of a public college. According to the College Board, the cost of a year's tuition, plus room and board, averaged $29,026 in 2005 for private colleges and $12,127 for public colleges.

Inflation
It doesn't matter is you will be attending a private school or a public school, the cost of tuition goes up every year. Many financial experts estimate that the cost of college will increase at approximately 6 percent each year over the next ten years. This means that the average cost of attending a private college will go from $29,026 per year to $49,581 by 2015.

Financial Aid
Just thinking about the rising costs of college tuition is enough to make your head spin. Before worrying that you will never be able to afford a year's worth of college tuition, let alone four years, consider these two words: financial aid.

Financial aid is available to those who need it. And, the good news is that there is a lot of it. Grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs, will help to cover the cost of college. All you have to do is educate yourself in regards to how aid works and how you can get it.